Duration of infectiousness and correlation with RT-PCR cycle threshold values in cases of COVID-19, England, January to May 2020
Anika Singanayagam(Public Health England), Monika Patel(Public Health England), André Charlett(Public Health England), Jamie Lopez Bernal(Public Health England), Vanessa Saliba(Public Health England), Joanna Ellis(Public Health England), Shamez Ladhani(Public Health England), Maria Zambon(Public Health England), Robin Gopal(Public Health England)
Cited by 986Open Access
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 viral load in the upper respiratory tract peaks around symptom onset and infectious virus persists for 10 days in mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease (n = 324 samples analysed). RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values correlate strongly with cultivable virus. Probability of culturing virus declines to 8% in samples with Ct > 35 and to 6% 10 days after onset; it is similar in asymptomatic and symptomatic persons. Asymptomatic persons represent a source of transmissible virus.
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