Home quarantine in COVID-19: A study on 50 consecutive patients in Austria

Article Figures & Data

Table 1.

Demographic and clinical data

Age, years, median (range)	48 (12–75)
<18 years old, n (%)	3 (6)
18–59 years old, n (%)	39 (78)
≥60 years old, n (%)	8 (16)
Male, n (%)	23 (46)
Comorbidity, n (%)
Neoplastic, liver or renal disease	0 (0)
Cerebrovascular disease	1 (2)
Heart disease	4 (8)
Diabetes	1 (2)
Hypertension	4 (8)
Immunosuppression	1 (2)
Current smoker, n (%)	4 (8)
Interval between symptom onset and diagnosis, days, median (range)	3 (0–17)
Symptoms and signs, n (%)
Body temperature ≥37.5°C	26 (52)
Diarrhoea	18 (36)
Cough	32 (64)
Dyspnoea	10 (20)
Sore throat	13 (26)
Nausea	10 (20)
Myalgia	18 (36)
Headache	33 (66)
Nasal congestion	8 (16)
Anosmia and ageusia	32 (64)
Pruritus	2 (4)

Summary

What is known?

The average viral shedding duration is between 12 and 20 days. A number of papers demonstrate prolonged viral shedding in severe illness.
Most investigations were conducted in an hospital environment.

What is the question?

What are the special aspects of COVID-19 in home quarantine compared to hospitalised patients?
What is the medium for and the duration of virus shedding? Which are the main clinical characteristics? Are there differences regarding age and gender?
What is the frequency of recurrences or seroconversion?

What was found?

Further details about COVID-19 patient care in home quarantine, clinical characteristics and virus shedding duration.
Special difficulties from the collaboration with local authorities and psychological burdens for patients.
The study showed the necessity for consequent testing in order to end quarantine safely.
Further the investigation shed light on seroconversion and recurrences.

What is the implication for practice now?

Patients in home quarantine should be monitored regularly for aggravation of disease.
Discharge should be based on clinical and laboratory findings.
Faecal shedding of the virus should be investigated as it lasts longer than throat swabs and may be a source of viral spreading.
Besides flu-like symptoms of the upper respiratory tract, headache, anosmia and ageusia should raise awareness for COVID-19.