COVID-19 Testing, Epidemic Features, Hospital Outcomes, and Household Prevalence, New York State—March 2020
Authors: Rosenberg Eli S , Dufort Elizabeth M , Blog Debra S , Hall Eric W , Hoefer Dina , Backenson Bryon P , Muse Alison T , Kirkwood James N , St. George Kirsten , Holtgrave David R , Hutton Brad J , Zucker Howard A ,   New York State Coronavirus 2019 Response Team, Anand Madhu , Kaufman Alison , Kuhles Daniel , Maxted Angie , Newman Alexandra , Pulver Wendy , Smith Lou , Sommer Jamie , White Jennifer , Dean Amy , Derbyshire Victoria , Egan Christina , Fuschino Meghan , Griesemer Sara , Hull Rene , Lamson Daryl , Laplante Jennifer , McDonough Kathleen , Mitchell Kara , Musser Kimberlee , Nazarian Elizabeth , Popowich Michael , Taylor Jill , Walsh Anne , Amler Sherlita , Huang Ada , Recchia Renee , Whalen Elizabeth , Lewis Elizabeth , Friedman Cynthia , Carrera Sandra , Eisenstein Lawrence , DeSimone Ann , Morne Johanne , Johnson Megan , Navarette Kristen , Kumar Jessica , Ostrowski Stephanie , Mazeau Adrienne , Dreslin Sally , Yates Nora , Greene Danielle , Heslin Eugene , Lutterloh Emily , Rosenthal Elizabeth , Barranco Meredith , Anand Madhu , Kaufman Alison , Kuhles Daniel , Maxted Angie , Newman Alexandra , Pulver Wendy , Smith Lou , Sommer Jamie , White Jennifer , Dean Amy , Derbyshire Victoria , Egan Christina , Fuschino Meghan , Griesemer Sara , Hull Rene , Lamson Daryl , Laplante Jennifer , McDonough Kathleen , Mitchell Kara , Musser Kimberlee , Nazarian Elizabeth , Popowich Michael , Taylor Jill , Walsh Anne , Amler Sherlita , Huang Ada , Recchia Renee , Whalen Elizabeth , Lewis Elizabeth , Friedman Cynthia , Carrera Sandra , Eisenstein Lawrence , DeSimone Ann , Morne Johanne , Johnson Megan , Navarette Kristen , Kumar Jessica , Ostrowski Stephanie , Mazeau Adrienne , Dreslin Sally , Yates Nora , Greene Danielle , Heslin Eugene , Lutterloh Emily , Rosenthal Elizabeth , Barranco Meredith 
Published: May 2020

Background

The US’ coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic has grown extensively since February 2020, with substantial associated hospitalizations and mortality; New York State has emerged as the national epicenter. We report on the extent of testing and test results during the month of March in New York State, along with risk factors, outcomes, and household prevalence among initial cases subject to in-depth investigations.

Methods

Specimen collection for COVID-19 testing was conducted in healthcare settings, community-based collection sites, and by home testing teams. Information on demographics, risk factors, and hospital outcomes of cases was obtained through epidemiological investigations and an electronic medical records match, and summarized descriptively. Active testing of initial case’s households enabled estimation of household prevalence.

Results

During March in New York State, outside of New York City, a total of 47 326 persons tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, out of 141 495 tests (33% test-positive), with the highest number of cases located in the metropolitan region counties. Among 229 initial cases diagnosed through 12 March, by 30 March 13% were hospitalized and 2% died. Testing conducted among 498 members of these case’s households found prevalent infection among 57%, excluding first-reported cases 38%. In these homes, we found a significant age gradient in prevalence, from 23% among those &lt; 5 years to 68% among those ≥ 65 years (P &lt; .0001).

Conclusions

New York State faced a substantial and increasing COVID-19 outbreak during March 2020. The earliest cases had high levels of infection in their households and by the end of the month, the risks of hospitalization and death were high.