Early trends for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in central and north Texas and impact on other circulating respiratory viruses

Rapid diagnosis and isolation are key to containing the quick spread of a pandemic agent like severe acute respiratory syndrome‐related coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), which has spread globally since its initial outbreak in Wuhan province in China. SARS‐CoV‐2 is novel and the effect on typically prevalent seasonal viruses is just becoming apparent. We present our initial data on the prevalence of respiratory viruses in the month of March 2020. This is a retrospective cohort study post launching of SARS‐CoV‐2 testing at Baylor Scott and White Hospital (BSWH), Temple, Texas. Testing for SARS‐CoV‐2 was performed by real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay and results were shared with State public health officials for immediate interventions. More than 3500 tests were performed during the first 2 weeks of testing for SARS‐CoV‐2 and identified 168 (4.7%) positive patients. Sixty‐two (3.2%) of the 1912 ambulatory patients and 106 (6.3%) of the 1659 emergency department/inpatients tested were positive. The highest rate of infection (6.9%) was seen in patients aged 25 to 34 years, while the lowest rate of infection was seen among patients aged