No Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Circulation in Rome (Italy) during the Pre-Pandemic Period: Results of a Retrospective Surveillance

Carlo Capalbo, Enrico Bertamino, Alessandro Zerbetto, Iolanda Santino, Andrea Petrucca, Rita Mancini, Rita Bonfini, Valeria Alfonsi, Stefano Ferracuti, Paolo Marchetti, Maurizio Simmaco, Giovanni Battista Orsi and Christian Napoli
Additional contact information
Carlo Capalbo: Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
Enrico Bertamino: Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
Alessandro Zerbetto: Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
Iolanda Santino: Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
Andrea Petrucca: Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
Rita Mancini: Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
Rita Bonfini: Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
Valeria Alfonsi: Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
Stefano Ferracuti: Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
Paolo Marchetti: Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
Maurizio Simmaco: Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
Giovanni Battista Orsi: Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
Christian Napoli: Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 22, 1-8

Abstract: In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the COVID-19 outbreak recorded over the previous months could be characterized as a pandemic. The first known Italian SARS-CoV-2 positive case was reported on 21 February. In some countries, cases of suspected “COVID-19-like pneumonia” had been reported earlier than those officially accepted by health authorities. This has led many investigators to check preserved biological or environmental samples to see whether the virus was detectable on dates prior to those officially stated. With regard to Italy, the results of a microbiological screening in sewage samples collected between the end of February and the beginning of April 2020 from wastewaters in Milan (Northern Italy) and Rome (Central Italy) showed presence of SARS-CoV-2. In the present study, we evaluated, by means of a standardized diagnostic method, the SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence amongst patients affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARI) in an academic hospital located in Central Italy during the period of 1 November 2019–1 March 2020. Overall, the number of emergency room (ER) visits during the investigated period was 13,843. Of these, 1208 had an influenza-like syndrome, but only 166 matched the definition of SARI as stated in the study protocol. A total of 52 SARI cases were laboratory confirmed as influenza: 26 as a type B virus, 25 as a type A, and 1 as both viruses. Although about 17% of the total sample had laboratory or radiological data compatible with COVID-19, all the nasopharyngeal swabs stored underwent SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and tested negative. Based on our result, it is confirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic spread did not start prior to the “official” onset in central Italy. Routine monitoring of SARI causative agents at the local level is critical for reporting epidemiologic and etiologic trends that may differ from one country to another and also among different influenza seasons. This has a practical impact on prevention and control strategies.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; COVID-19; epidemiological and etiological surveillance; influenza-like syndrome; pneumonia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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