Epidemiological characteristics and transmission routes of COVID-19 asymptomatic infected patients in Shaanxi Province / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

【Objective】 To assess the epidemiological characteristics and transmission risk of asymptomatic COVID-19 infection in Shaanxi Province. 【Methods】 A dense population database of COVID-19 cases in Shaanxi Province was constructed as of March 26, 2020, and 28 asymptomatic infected patients were selected through case epidemiological investigation report for descriptive analysis. 【Results】 In Shaanxi Province, the majority of asymptomatic COVID-19 infections were in the 20-59 years old group, and women took up a higher proportion than men. 82.14% of asymptomatic infections were found in the centralized isolation state. Nearly 80% of asymptomatic infections and confirmed cases were mainly exposed by living together in the family. The median number of days from last contact with the source of infection for all asymptomatic infected persons was 13, with 3 (10.71%) showing clinical symptoms. Epidemiological investigations showed that asymptomatic infections could spread as a result of shared family life. 【Conclusion】 At present, imported cases in Shaanxi Province continue to exist. Considering the concealed transmission of asymptomatic infections, prevention and control work is still facing challenges.