Asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 in a confined adult community population in Quebec: A cross-sectional study

Am J Infect Control. 2021 Jan;49(1):120-122. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2020.08.015. Epub 2020 Aug 21.

Abstract

Several countries have undertaken social distancing measures to stop SARS-CoV-2 spread. Asymptomatic carriers' prevalence is unknown and would provide essential information on hidden viral circulation. In our cross-sectional study, 1.82% of 330 asymptomatic confined individuals living in the community carried SARS-CoV-2 despite no contact with declared cases, raising concerns about unnoticed transmission.

Keywords: Community transmission; Confinement; Healthy carrier; North America; SARS-CoV-2; Social distancing.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Attitude to Health
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control
  • COVID-19 / transmission
  • Carrier State / epidemiology*
  • Carrier State / prevention & control
  • Carrier State / transmission
  • Communicable Disease Control
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Physical Distancing*
  • Prevalence
  • Quebec / epidemiology
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Young Adult