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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
High-throughput Detection Method for Influenza Virus
Published on: February 4, 2012
SARS-CoV-2 detection in patients with influenza-like illness
Wen-Hua Kong1, Yao Li1, Ming-Wei Peng1
1Wuhan Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
Insights
Community transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, was detected in Wuhan, China in early January 2020. This analysis of throat swabs from influenza-like-illness patients suggests earlier circulation than previously reported.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China, caused by SARS-CoV-2.
- The initial reporting date of COVID-19 cases in Wuhan was late December 2019.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-analyze throat swabs from patients with influenza-like-illness in Wuhan.
- To determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in samples collected prior to the official reporting date.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
- Analysis of 640 throat swabs collected between October 6, 2019, and January 21, 2020.
Main Results:
- Nine out of 640 throat swabs tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
- Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA suggests community transmission in Wuhan during early January 2020.
Conclusions:
- SARS-CoV-2 was circulating in Wuhan earlier than initially reported.
- The findings indicate community transmission of the virus in early 2020.
Abstract:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in late December 2019. We re-analysed 640 throat swabs collected from patients in Wuhan with influenza-like-illness from 6 October 2019 to 21 January 2020 and found that 9 of the 640 throat swabs were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by quantitative PCR, suggesting community transmission of SARS-CoV2 in Wuhan in early January 2020.
