Transmission of the Novel Coronavirus: Early Findings

In the early period of the 2019 novel coronavirus epidemic, the mean incubation period was 5.2 days, but many patients had no identified exposure.

Key factors influencing the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) are its incubation period, epidemiologic features, and basic reproductive number (R₀) — a measure of how many other cases arise from each infected case. To better determine these factors, an international team of investigators has analyzed the first 425 confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV pneumonia in Wuhan, China, divided into three date-of-onset groups: December 10 to 31, 2019; January 1 to 11, 2020; and January 12 or later.

Median age was 59 years; no patient was younger than 15 years. Median age was 56 among patients with onset between December 10 and 31, 2019, and 55% of this group had exposure to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market (closed on January 1, 2020). After …

Reviewing Author

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Transmission of the Novel Coronavirus: Early Findings

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Reviewing Author