A new coronavirus prevalence study by Ochsner Medical Center yielded surprising results. The results were released Thursday. Key findings showed that younger patients were more likely to show symptoms while they were infectious, while the oldest volunteers had a much higher rate of asymptomatic cases spreading the virus. Researchers said that finding is opposite of what they thought they would find.The study also showed people without symptoms are spreading COVID-19 at an alarming rate. Ochsner Principal Investigator Dr. Amy Feehan said 75 percent of the most infectious group was asymptomatic, according to the study’s findings. Feehan called that result “shocking.”Other notable findings included that 7.8% of residents in Jefferson Parish and Orleans have likely been exposed.The study presumed that more than 64,000 residents have been infected on top of the cases detected by state testing. The prevalence of COVID-19 is higher among minorities, according to the study. The study also found that the virus is 10 to 40 times more deadly than the flu was this season, with a death rate in Jefferson and Orleans of 1.68 percent.It said volunteers who reported loss of smell and taste were 17-times more likely to test positive for the virus. Comorbidities, such as obesity, high blood pressure, did not influence whether someone caught the virus, although it did affect a person’s outcome, according to the study. The study’s mapping also showed hot spots of highly infectious COVID-19 volunteers on the Eastbank of Jefferson Parish during the May 11-16 time frame of its testing.Ochsner said the research proves how important it is for people to wear masks and phase in the reopening process carefully.
NEW ORLEANS —
A new coronavirus prevalence study by Ochsner Medical Center yielded surprising results.
The results were released Thursday.
Key findings showed that younger patients were more likely to show symptoms while they were infectious, while the oldest volunteers had a much higher rate of asymptomatic cases spreading the virus. Researchers said that finding is opposite of what they thought they would find.
The study also showed people without symptoms are spreading COVID-19 at an alarming rate. Ochsner Principal Investigator Dr. Amy Feehan said 75 percent of the most infectious group was asymptomatic, according to the study’s findings. Feehan called that result “shocking.”
Other notable findings included that 7.8% of residents in Jefferson Parish and Orleans have likely been exposed.
The study presumed that more than 64,000 residents have been infected on top of the cases detected by state testing.
The prevalence of COVID-19 is higher among minorities, according to the study.
The study also found that the virus is 10 to 40 times more deadly than the flu was this season, with a death rate in Jefferson and Orleans of 1.68 percent.
It said volunteers who reported loss of smell and taste were 17-times more likely to test positive for the virus.
Comorbidities, such as obesity, high blood pressure, did not influence whether someone caught the virus, although it did affect a person’s outcome, according to the study.
The study’s mapping also showed hot spots of highly infectious COVID-19 volunteers on the Eastbank of Jefferson Parish during the May 11-16 time frame of its testing.
Ochsner said the research proves how important it is for people to wear masks and phase in the reopening process carefully.
