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Transmissibility of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Among Household Contacts of Coronavirus Disease 2019-positive Patients: A Community-Based Study in India
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  • Aswathy Sreedevi,
  • Ahmad Mohammed,
  • Mini Satheesh,
  • Anuja UshaKumari,
  • Anil Kumar,
  • Geetha Raveendran,
  • Saritha Narayanankutty,
  • Soumya gopakumar,
  • Anisur Rahman,
  • Sachin David,
  • Minu Mathew,
  • Prem Nair
Aswathy Sreedevi
Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre

Corresponding Author:draswathygopan@gmail.com

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Ahmad Mohammed
World Health Organisation Country Office for India
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Mini Satheesh
Government Medical College Thiruvananthapuram
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Anuja UshaKumari
Government Medical College Kollam
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Anil Kumar
Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre
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Geetha Raveendran
Government Medical College Kollam
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Saritha Narayanankutty
Government Medical College Thiruvananthapuram
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Soumya gopakumar
Government Medical College Thiruvananthapuram
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Anisur Rahman
World Health Organisation Country Office for India
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Sachin David
Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences
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Minu Mathew
Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre
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Prem Nair
Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre
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Abstract

Background: The transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is complex and multifactorial. We aimed to identify the risk factors for infection among the household contacts of index patients and to determine the incubation period, serial interval, and estimates of secondary infection rate. Methods: We conducted a study in three districts of Kerala among the inhabitants of households of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-positive coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients between January and July 2021. COVID-19-positive patients and corresponding contacts were enrolled and followed up for 28 days to determine RT-PCR positivity and the presence of total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 on days 1, 7, 14, and 28 from the date of enrolment. Results: The mean incubation period, serial interval, and generation time were 1.6, 3, and 3.9 days, respectively. The secondary infection rate was 43.0%. Individuals who worked outside the home were protected, whereas those who had kissed the COVID-19-positive patients during illness were more than twice at risk of infection than those who had not kissed the COVID-19-positive patients. Similarly, the contacts who had shared a toilet with the COVID-19-positive patients were more at risk than those who had not shared a toilet. However, the contacts who reported using masks were at a higher risk of infection in household settings. Conclusions Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in household settings is important, considering its high secondary infection rate. Close physical contact and toilet sharing increase the risk of infection. This study demonstrates shorter incubation period and serial interval.
19 Apr 2023Submitted to Influenza and other respiratory viruses
21 Apr 2023Submission Checks Completed
21 Apr 2023Assigned to Editor
28 Apr 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
01 Jul 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 Jul 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
13 Aug 20231st Revision Received
22 Aug 2023Submission Checks Completed
22 Aug 2023Assigned to Editor
22 Aug 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 Aug 2023Editorial Decision: Accept