Temporal Dynamics of Nasopharyngeal and Tracheal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Cycle Thresholds in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Patients With Tracheostomy

In this study of 45 patients with COVID-19 undergoing tracheostomy, nasopharyngeal and tracheal cycle threshold (Ct) values were analyzed. Ct values rose to 37.9 by the time of tracheostomy and remained >35 postoperatively, demonstrating that persistent test positivity may not be associated with persistent transmissible virus in this population.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the nasopharyngeal and tracheal cycle threshold (Ct) values in 45 COVID-19 patients undergoing tracheostomy. The Ct values rose to 37.9 before the surgery and remained above 35 postoperatively, indicating that persistent test positivity may not be associated with persistent transmissible virus in this population.