Changes in the amount of virus in feces : COVID-19

Summary In addition to fever and respiratory symptoms, COVID-19 patients may present with gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting SARS-CoV-2 RNA was positive in stool samples from 66 7% of COVID-19 patients The presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in feces was not associated with the severity of COVID-19 After negative pharyngeal swab specimens, fecal SARS-CoV-2 RNA remained positive in more than 60% of patients, and the median (IQR) duration of viral shedding was 7 (6-10) days, regardless of severity The median IQR was 7 (6-10) days, regardless of the severity of the disease Since COVID-19 may be transmitted by fecal-oral transmission, care should be taken in hand hygiene and disposal of vomit and feces