Substantial undocumented infection facilitates the rapid dissemination of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)

Estimation of the prevalence and contagiousness of undocumented novel coronavirus [severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)] infections is critical for understanding the overall prevalence and pandemic potential of this disease. Here, we use observations of reported infection wit...

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Veröffentlicht in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2020-05, Vol.368 (6490), p.489-493
Hauptverfasser: Li, Ruiyun, Pei, Sen, Chen, Bin, Song, Yimeng, Zhang, Tao, Yang, Wan, Shaman, Jeffrey
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Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:Estimation of the prevalence and contagiousness of undocumented novel coronavirus [severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)] infections is critical for understanding the overall prevalence and pandemic potential of this disease. Here, we use observations of reported infection within China, in conjunction with mobility data, a networked dynamic metapopulation model, and Bayesian inference, to infer critical epidemiological characteristics associated with SARS-CoV-2, including the fraction of undocumented infections and their contagiousness. We estimate that 86% of all infections were undocumented [95% credible interval (CI): 82-90%] before the 23 January 2020 travel restrictions. The transmission rate of undocumented infections per person was 55% the transmission rate of documented infections (95% CI: 46-62%), yet, because of their greater numbers, undocumented infections were the source of 79% of the documented cases. These findings explain the rapid geographic spread of SARS-CoV-2 and indicate that containment of this virus will be particularly challenging.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.abb3221