Most people who have come down with the coronavirus started showing symptoms about five days after they were infected, a new study reveals.
The study by Johns Hopkins University is said to be the largest one of known cases worldwide. Researchers analyzed the progression of the disease in 181 cases. The study was detailed in a report by The Wall Street Journal Monday.
According to the newspaper, the study’s findings back up estimates of the incubation period before signs of coughing, fever and respiratory distress appear. And they offer support for the recommended 14-day monitoring and quarantine period for people who have been exposed.
“We have a lot of confidence that the incubation period is around five days,” said Justin Lessler, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health who led the research team. “Some people will have really short incubation periods and some people will have really long ones. The goal is catching most cases that are infected and have symptoms developed before the deadline.”
The findings showed that scientists calculated that the median incubation period of the virus is 5.1 days, according to the Journal. And 97.5% of those who do develop symptoms will do so within 11.5 days of exposure.
Isolating people who may have been exposed to an infectious disease can limit an epidemic in the early stages of an outbreak, according to the newspaper.
Meanwhile, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., is one of several members of Congress who have self-quarantined after coming in contact with a person who has coronavirus at the annual CPAC convention.
Jeffrey Rodack ✉
Jeffrey Rodack, who has nearly a half century in news as a senior editor and city editor for national and local publications, has covered politics for Newsmax for nearly seven years.
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