Factors associated with SARS-COV-2 positive test in Lifelines

SARS-COV-2 is often mixed with other respiratory diseases. This study aimed to identify the characteristics associated with SARS-COV-2 positive test. Participants from the Northern Netherlands were included between 2020-2021 and tested for SARS-COV-2. The outcome was a self-reported test as measured by PCR. Participants were classified into those with a positive and negative SARS-COV-2 using logistic regression. 2564 (12%) of 21964 participants had a positive SARS-COV-2 test. The characteristics associated with a higher risk of SARS-COV-2 positive test were: contact with someone tested positive, ≥1 household members, male sex, fatigue and typical symptoms, such as loss of smell, dry cough and fever. The characteristics associated with a lower risk of SARS-COV-2 positive test were higher quality of life, inhaler use, current smoking and unspecific symptoms such as  runny nose, sore throat and others. During pandemic, testing should be warranted for people at high risk. Contrary, unspecified symptoms are likely to be indicative of other conditions.