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COVID-19 Testing, Epidemic Features, Hospital Outcomes, and Household Prevalence, New York State-March 2020

Eli S Rosenberg1, Elizabeth M Dufort2, Debra S Blog2

  • 1University at Albany School of Public Health, State University of New York, Rensselaer, New York, USA.

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|May 9, 2020
PubMed

Insights

In March 2020, New York State experienced a significant COVID-19 outbreak. Early cases showed high household infection rates, with increasing risks of hospitalization and death by month

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • New York State became the epicenter of the US coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in March 2020.
  • The epidemic was characterized by substantial hospitalizations and mortality.
  • This study focuses on testing, risk factors, outcomes, and household prevalence during the initial phase of the outbreak in New York State.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report the extent of COVID-19 testing and test results in New York State during March 2020.
  • To identify risk factors and outcomes associated with COVID-19.
  • To determine household prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among initial cases.

Main Methods:

  • COVID-19 testing was performed in healthcare settings, community sites, and via home testing.
  • Data on demographics, risk factors, and hospital outcomes were collected through epidemiological investigations and electronic medical records.
  • Household prevalence was estimated by testing household members of initial COVID-19 cases.

Main Results:

  • In March 2020, New York State reported 47,326 positive COVID-19 cases out of 141,495 tests (33% positivity rate), with the highest concentration in metropolitan counties.
  • Among 229 initial cases diagnosed by March 12, 13% were hospitalized and 2% died by March 30.
  • Testing of 498 household members revealed a 57% infection rate (38% excluding first-reported cases), with a significant age gradient in prevalence (23% in <5 years to 68% in ≥65 years).

Conclusions:

  • New York State experienced a substantial and escalating COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020.
  • Early COVID-19 cases demonstrated high household infection rates.
  • By the end of March, the risks of hospitalization and mortality associated with COVID-19 were significant.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19prevalencesurveillancetesting

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