This cross-sectional study found that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the asymptomatic adult population of the Indianapolis metropolitan area was 3.1%

• Study called asymptomatic novel CORonavirus iNfection (ACORN), led by Eli Lilly researchers between April 7, 2020 and May 16, 2020.
• All adult study participants had to be free of the following 3 symptoms:  in the last 7‐days: fever (≥100°F), new onset or worsening cough, and new onset or worsening shortness of breath. Patients were followed up at 14 days to see if they had developed any symptoms.
• SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was determined by RT‐PCR in nasopharyngeal swab samples.
• 2953 participants were enrolled and underwent testing
• Among tested participants, 91 (3.1%; 95%‐CI; 2.5%‐3.7%) were positive for SARS‐CoV‐2.
• Baseline characteristics, medical history, and infection risk factors were comparable between SARS‐CoV‐2 positive and negative participants. Within the 14‐day follow‐up period for positive participants, 28.4% (n=23) now report one or more symptoms, the others remained asymptomatic
• These results indicate screening questions had limited predictive utility for testing in an asymptomatic population and suggest broader testing strategies are needed.