Self-reported loss of smell and taste in SARS-CoV-2 patients: primary care data to guide future early detection strategies

Abstract The early identification of new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in primary care is of outmost importance in the current pandemia. We conducted a preliminary study involving 816 primary care patients undergoing RT-PCR testing for a suspicion of COVID-19. We examined the association between smell or taste disorders and a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, and computed the performance of these symptoms in predicting a positive test. Smell or taste disorders were significantly associated with positive RT-PCR with an adjusted OR=6.3 (95%CI 5.2-7.5). Once confinement measures are lifted, our data could further inform triage and early identification of new clusters of cases through primary care.