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Overall decrease in SARS-CoV-2 viral load and reduction in clinical burden: the experience of a hospital in northern
Chiara Piubelli1, Michela Deiana1, Elena Pomari1
1Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy.
Summary
As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission decreased, fewer patients required intensive care. This trend correlated with a lower viral load, suggesting reduced exposure to the virus contributes to less severe illness.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- The burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Italy decreased significantly from March to May.
- Understanding the relationship between viral load and disease severity during epidemiological transitions is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between clinical severity and viral load in COVID-19 patients.
- To analyze changes in intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates and viral load during a transition from high-to low-transmission settings.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of COVID-19 cases diagnosed at an emergency room.
- Assessment of ICU admission proportions.
- Estimation of viral load using the cycle threshold (Ct) values from RT-PCR tests.
Main Results:
- The proportion of patients requiring ICU admission decreased significantly from 6.7% in March to 1.1% in April and 0% in May (p=0.0067).
- Median Ct values, indicating viral load, increased from 24 in March to 34 in May (p=0.0003 between March and April).
Conclusions:
- A reduction in COVID-19 patient's need for intensive care was observed over time.
- Decreasing viral load, likely due to lower transmission exposure, is associated with less severe clinical manifestations of COVID-19.
