The Incubation Period of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) From Publicly Reported Confirmed Cases: Estimation and Application

Type Journal Article Author Stephen A. Lauer Author Kyra H. Grantz Author Qifang Bi Author Forrest K. Jones Author Qulu Zheng Author Hannah R. Meredith Author Andrew S. Azman Author Nicholas G. Reich Author Justin Lessler URL https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-0504 Series Original Research Volume 172 Issue 9 Pages 577-582 Publication Annals of Internal Medicine ISSN 0003-4819 Date 10/03/2020 Extra Publisher: American College of Physicians Journal Abbr Annals of Internal Medicine DOI 10.7326/M20-0504 Library Catalog acpjournals.org (Atypon) Abstract Background: A novel human coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified in China in December 2019. There is limited support for many of its key epidemiologic features, including the incubation period for clinical disease (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]), which has important implications for surveillance and control activities. Objective: To estimate the length of the incubation period of COVID-19 and describe its public health implications. Design: Pooled analysis of confirmed COVID-19 cases reported between 4 January 2020 and 24 February 2020. Short Title The Incubation Period of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) From Publicly Reported Confirmed Cases