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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Coronavirus | Systematic review update

The incubation period during the pandemic of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Wafa Dhouib, Jihen Maatoug, Imen Ayouni, Nawel Zammit, Rim Ghammem, Sihem Ben Fredj, Hassen Ghannem

Published in: Systematic Reviews | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

The aim of our study was to determine through a systematic review and meta-analysis the incubation period of COVID-19. It was conducted based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). Criteria for eligibility were all published population-based primary literature in PubMed interface and the Science Direct, dealing with incubation period of COVID-19, written in English, since December 2019 to December 2020. We estimated the mean of the incubation period using meta-analysis, taking into account between-study heterogeneity, and the analysis with moderator variables.

Results

This review included 42 studies done predominantly in China. The mean and median incubation period were of maximum 8 days and 12 days respectively. In various parametric models, the 95th percentiles were in the range 10.3–16 days. The highest 99th percentile would be as long as 20.4 days. Out of the 10 included studies in the meta-analysis, 8 were conducted in China, 1 in Singapore, and 1 in Argentina. The pooled mean incubation period was 6.2 (95% CI 5.4, 7.0) days. The heterogeneity (I² 77.1%; p < 0.001) was decreased when we included the study quality and the method of calculation used as moderator variables (I² 0%). The mean incubation period ranged from 5.2 (95% CI 4.4 to 5.9) to 6.65 days (95% CI 6.0 to 7.2).

Conclusions

This work provides additional evidence of incubation period for COVID-19 and showed that it is prudent not to dismiss the possibility of incubation periods up to 14 days at this stage of the epidemic.

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Title: The incubation period during the pandemic of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wafa Dhouib
Jihen Maatoug
Imen Ayouni
Nawel Zammit
Rim Ghammem
Sihem Ben Fredj
Hassen Ghannem
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Coronavirus
COVID-19
Published in: Systematic Reviews / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 2046-4053
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-021-01648-y

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The incubation period during the pandemic of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusions

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