SARS‑CoV‑2 has a lower case fatality rate
than SARS or MERS, yet caused far greater global spread. Consider a
hypothetical SARS‑CoV‑2 variant that increases disease
severity modestly but causes earlier hospitalisation and reduces the duration
of infectiousness in the community. Viral replication within the host remains
unchanged.

Over successive transmission cycles, what impact would this
most likely have on pandemic spread?

Question

SARS‑CoV‑2 has a lower case fatality rate
than SARS or MERS, yet caused far greater global spread. Consider a
hypothetical SARS‑CoV‑2 variant that increases disease
severity modestly but causes earlier hospitalisation and reduces the duration
of infectiousness in the community. Viral replication within the host remains
unchanged.

Over successive transmission cycles, what impact would this
most likely have on pandemic spread?

Accepted Answer

Reduced
transmission due to shorter time in the community

Answer

No
effect on spread because severity is unrelated to transmission

Answer

Increased
spread due to higher viral load

Answer

Increased
transmission through healthcare settings only

Crowdly

SARS‑CoV‑2 has a lower case fatality rate than SARS or MERS, yet caused far gre...

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