Epidemiological Characterization of Patients in the First Eight Weeks Following Detection of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (omicron) Variant in Cuba.
MEDICC Rev
; 24(3-4): 18-23, 2022 Oct 31.
Artículo
en Inglés
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2146581
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
In November 2021, omicron-a new SARS-CoV-2 variant-was identified in South Africa and almost immediately, WHO declared it a 'variant of concern'. In view of its rapid worldwide spread and its imminent introduction in Cuba, genomic surveillance was strengthened.OBJECTIVE:
Describe cases during the first eight epidemiological weeks (epiweeks) of SARS-CoV-2 infection attributable to omicron variant in Cuba by clinical and epidemiological variables.METHODS:
From epiweek 48, 2021 to epiweek 4, 2022, 288 nasopharyngeal swabs were processed for sequencing of a 1836 bp fragment of the S gene. Variants were identified according to GISAID database and confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. Variants' association with clinical and epidemiological outcomes was assessed.RESULTS:
The first cases of omicron variant were imported, mostly from African countries and the United States. During the period studied, omicron was detected in 83.0% (239/288) of cases processed, while the delta variant was found in 17.0% (49/288). Most persons infected with omicron were symptomatic (63.2%; 151/239) and fully vaccinated (65.3%; 156/239); severe cases and deaths occurred mainly among patients aged ≥65 years (92.9%; 13/14), and 12 of these deaths occurred in fully vaccinated persons (92.3%; 12/13). Omicron spread rapidly throughout the country (from 10% of cases in epiweek 48, 2021, to 100% by epiweek 4, 2022), displacing the formerly predominant delta variant.CONCLUSIONS:
Omicron's rapid expansion in Cuba was associated with increased incidence but not with a higher case fatality rate. The relatively milder disease in those infected with this variant could be influenced by the high vaccination coverage, along with the natural immunity acquired as a consequence of previous virus infection.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
Disponible
Colección:
Bases de datos internacionales
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Tipo de estudio:
Estudio observacional
/
Estudio pronóstico
/
Ensayo controlado aleatorizado
Tópicos:
Vacunas
/
Variantes
Límite:
Humanos
País/Región como asunto:
Caribe
/
Cuba
Idioma:
Inglés
Revista:
MEDICC Rev
Asunto de la revista:
Salud Pública
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Artículo
País de afiliación:
MR2022.V24.N3-4.6
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