Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among urban cleaning and solid waste management workers during transmission of the Omicron variant in Brazil.

This study estimated the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in urban cleaning and solid waste management workers during the transmission of the Omicron variant in one of the poorest regions of Brazil (the state of Sergipe). Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 494 workers, and the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was tested by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, comorbidities, vaccination status, mask use, and use of public transport to commute to the workplace were collected. The prevalence with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated from the proportion of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases among the total number of individuals tested. The prevalence ratio (PR) with a 95% CI was the measure of association used to evaluate the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the exposure variables. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 22.5% (95% CI, 19.0 to 26.4). Individuals under the age of 40 had a higher prevalence of infection (PR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.03 to 2.30) as well as those who did not believe in the protective effect of vaccines (PR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.05 to 2.89). Our results indicate the need for better guidance on preventive measures against coronavirus disease 2019 among urban cleaning and solid waste management workers.

Surveillance of adverse events associated with 145 000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines in a Brazilian municipality.

There is a lack of real-world surveillance studies on reports of adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccination, as well as comparative analyses of adverse events from vaccines with different platforms. This observational, descriptive, retrospective study based on secondary data describes the adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) related to the first 145 000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines delivered in Aracaju municipality, Sergipe state, northeast Brazil. Records of AEFIs were collected using the e-SUS Notifica database for January 19 to April 30, 2021. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for AEFIs and the type of COVID-19 vaccine, either CoronaVac (Sinovac-Butantan) or Oxford-AstraZeneca (Fiocruz). A total of 474 AEFIs (32.7 events/10 000 doses) from 254 individuals were reported and analyzed, and all of them were classified as non-serious. There was an association between the use of the CoronaVac vaccine and headache (OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.4-3.2), pain at the injection site (OR = 9.6; 95% CI: 3.9-23.8), lethargy (OR = 5.2; 95% CI: 1.8-14.8), fatigue (OR = 10.1; 95% CI: 2.4-42.3), diarrhea (OR = 4.4; 95% CI: 1.5-12.5) and cold-like symptoms (OR = 8.0; 95% CI: 1.9-34.0). However, the proportion of individuals reporting fever was higher among those who received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine (OR = 3.1; 95% CI 1.5-6.4). This population-based observational study strengthens the evidence for the safety and tolerability of the CoronaVac and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines used against COVID-19.

Hay una carencia de estudios de vigilancia en el mundo real sobre la notificación de eventos adversos asociados a la vacunación contra la COVID-19, así como de análisis comparativos de los eventos adversos de vacunas con diferentes plataformas. En este estudio observacional, descriptivo y retrospectivo basado en datos secundarios se describen los eventos adversos supuestamente atribuibles a la vacunación o inmunización (ESAVI) relacionados con las primeras 145 000 dosis de vacunas contra la COVID-19 administradas en el municipio de Aracaju, estado de Sergipe, en la región Noreste de Brasil. Se recopilaron registros de los ESAVI del 19 de enero al 30 de abril del 2021 con la base de datos e-SUS Notifica. Se calcularon las razones de posibilidades (OR, por su sigla en inglés) y los intervalos de confianza (IC) del 95 % para los ESAVI y el tipo de vacuna contra la COVID-19 (CoronaVac [Sinovac-Butantan] o bien Oxford-AstraZeneca [Fiocruz]). Se notificaron y analizaron un total de 474 ESAVI (32,7 eventos/10 000 dosis) de 254 personas, y todos se clasificaron como no graves. Se encontró una relación entre el empleo de la vacuna CoronaVac y la cefalea (OR = 2,1; IC del 95 %: 1,4­3,2), dolor en el lugar de la inyección (OR = 9,6; IC del 95 %: 3,9­23,8), letargo (OR = 5,2; IC del 95 %: 1,8­14,8), cansancio (OR = 10,1; IC del 95 %: 2,4­42,3), diarrea (OR = 4,4; IC del 95 %: 1,5­12,5) y síntomas similares al resfriado (OR = 8,0; IC del 95 %: 1,9 a 34,0). Sin embargo, la proporción de pacientes que notificaron fiebre fue mayor entre los que recibieron la vacuna de Oxford-AstraZeneca (OR = 3,1; IC del 95 %: 1,5 a 6,4). Este estudio observacional poblacional refuerza la evidencia sobre la seguridad y tolerabilidad de las vacunas CoronaVac y Oxford-AstraZeneca empleadas contra la COVID-19.

Faltam estudos de vigilância no mundo real sobre relatórios de eventos adversos associados à vacinação contra a COVID-19, bem como análises comparativas de eventos adversos decorrentes de vacinas com diferentes plataformas. Este estudo observacional, descritivo e retrospectivo baseado em dados secundários descreve os eventos adversos pós-vacinação (EAPV) relacionados com as primeiras 145 mil doses de vacinas contra a COVID-19 entregues no município de Aracaju, capital do estado de Sergipe, na região Nordeste do Brasil. Os registros de EAPV foram coletados usando o sistema e-SUS Notifica com referência ao período de 19 de janeiro a 30 de abril de 2021. Razões de chances (odds ratios, ORs) e intervalos de confiança (IC) de 95% foram calculados para os EAPV e o tipo de vacina contra a COVID-19: CoronaVac (Sinovac-Butantan) ou Oxford-AstraZeneca (Fiocruz). Um total de 474 EAPV (32,7 eventos/10 mil doses) de 254 indivíduos foram relatados e analisados, e todos foram classificados como não graves. Houve uma associação entre o uso da vacina CoronaVac e cefaleia (OR = 2,1; IC 95%: 1,4-3,2), dor no local da injeção (OR = 9,6; IC 95%: 3,9-23,8), letargia (OR = 5,2; IC 95%: 1,8-14,8), cansaço (OR = 10,1; IC 95%: 2,4-42,3), diarreia (OR = 4,4; IC 95%: 1,5-12,5 e sintomas gripais (OR = 8,0; IC 95%: 1,9-34,0). Contudo, a proporção de indivíduos que relataram febre foi superior entre os que receberam a vacina Oxford-AstraZeneca (OR = 3,1; IC 95%: 1,5-6,4). Este estudo observacional de base populacional reforça as evidências da segurança e tolerabilidade das vacinas CoronaVac e Oxford-AstraZeneca usadas contra a COVID-19.

Dynamics of hospitalizations and in-hospital deaths from COVID-19 in northeast Brazil: a retrospective analysis based on the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants and vaccination coverage.

This study investigated the dynamics of hospitalizations and in-hospital deaths from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) throughout the pandemic in northeast Brazil, the Brazilian region with the worst socioeconomic indicators. In total, 141,445 cases, 8,213 hospital admissions, and 1,644 in-hospital deaths from COVID-19 were registered from March 14, 2020 to February 5, 2022. The overall rates of hospitalization and in-hospital deaths were 5.8% and 20.0%, respectively. The hospitalization and death rates significantly decreased over time, which may have been related to progress in vaccination. During the spread of the Gamma variant (January to June 2021), most hospitalized individuals were young adults, and approximately 40% of deaths occurred in this age group. During the predominance of Delta (July to December 2021), over 75% of deaths occurred among the elderly and unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals. This rate decreased to 42.3% during the transmission of the Omicron variant (January to February 2022), during which 34.6% of deaths were recorded among fully vaccinated individuals (2 doses) and 23.1% among those who received full vaccination and a booster. The Omicron-driven third wave was associated with a rise in the proportion of deaths among vaccinated individuals, especially among those who had not received a booster dose.

Factors Associated with Mortality among Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Information on the risk factors for COVID-19 mortality in low- and middle-income countries is still scarce. In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed the factors associated with COVID-19 mortality in hospitalized patients in a poor area of Brazil. Logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with mortality, including gender, age, and the presence of underlying medical conditions. A total of 1,207 patients were included in the analysis, and a 1.5-fold increase in COVID-19 mortality was found among patients aged > 65 years with hypertension and diabetes (odds ratio [OR]: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.02-2.19). Moreover, infectious disease (OR: 4.31, 95% CI: 1.39-13.39), kidney disease (OR: 2.59, 95% CI: 1.27-5.27), and heart disease (OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.31-3.04) were also predictive for COVID-19 in-hospital death. This large cohort provides important data on potential factors associated with COVID-19 mortality in Brazil.