Random population-based surveys to estimate prevalence of SARS-CoV2 infection causing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are useful to understand distributions and predictors of the infection. In April 2020, the first-ever nationally representative survey in Canada polled 4,240 adults age 18 years and older about self-reported COVID experience in March, early in the epidemic. We examined the levels and predictors of COVID symptoms, defined as fever plus difficulty breathing/shortness of breath, dry cough so severe that it disrupts sleep, and/or loss of sense of smell; and testing for SARS-CoV-2 by respondents and/or household members. About 8% of Canadians reported that they and/or one or more household members experienced COVID symptoms. Symptoms were more common in younger than in older adults, and among visible minorities. Overall, only 3% of respondents and/or household members reported testing for SARS-CoV-2. Being tested was associated with having COVID symptoms, Indigenous identity, and living in Quebec. Periodic nationally representative surveys of symptoms, as well as SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, are required in many countries to understand the pandemic and prepare for the future.
【초록키워드】 COVID-19, coronavirus disease, SARS-CoV-2, pandemic, Infection, Symptoms, SARS-CoV2 infection, COVID, Prevalence, Adults, SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, Fever, breath, age, predictor, distribution, Canada, identity, Older, dry cough, being, country, the epidemic, defined, tested, examined, reported, required, disrupt, Canadian, Periodic, 【제목키워드】 COVID-19, Canada, self-reported symptom,