Viral Infectivity in Patients Undergoing Tracheotomy With COVID-19: A Preliminary Study.

Objective: To establish the presence of live virus and its association with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity and antibody status in patients with COVID-19 undergoing tracheotomy.

Study Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Single institution across 3 hospital sites during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.