SARS-CoV-2: serological evidence of circulation in Southern Italy in late 2019?

ConclusionsThe results of this study showed that some samples collected before the first autochthonous case was detected in Italy had antibodies reactive to the RBD of SARS-CoV-2. The Apulia region has been less severely affected by the first epidemic wave than the northern regions; however, these results suggest the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the population in the late months of 2019. Since the majority of SARS-CoV-2 infections does not require hospitalization, it is possible that many of these have gone unnoticed.Key messagesThe spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the Italian population could have already occurred in late 2019.The extent of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the population could be far greater than reported.
Source: The European Journal of Public Health - Category: General Medicine Source Type: research