Coronavirus (COVID-19) Collection
Time from last immunity event against infection during Omicron-dominant period in Malaysia
The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) and its prominent sublineages continue to be the dominant strains (>98%) circulating globally since February 2022 [1–3]. The spike mutations of Omicron resulted in higher viral transmissibility and capability to escape neutralizing antibodies from vaccinated sera [4]. Immune evasion is evident because a higher number of breakthrough and reinfection cases were observed during the Omicron-dominant period [5,6]. Symptomatic COVID-19 cases increased as studies found moderate booster effectiveness against Omicron infection, whereas the effectiveness against severe outcomes was largely preserved [7,8].Post-acute symptoms 3-15 months after COVID-19 among unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals with a breakthrough infection
Vaccination represents the most important strategy to prevent infection, severe complications, and death caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Feikin et al., 2022). SARS-CoV-2 vaccination may also reduce the risk of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) (Antonelli et al., 2022; Azzolini et al., 2022; Kuodi et al., 2022), but conflicting results have been presented (Taquet et al., 2022). We aimed to describe self-reported PASC symptoms, including memory and concentration problems, changes in smell and taste, fatigue, and dyspnea, persisting 3-15 months after a positive test in SARS-CoV-2 unvaccinated and vaccinated participants with a breakthrough infection.Clinical outcomes associated with Mu variant infection during the third epidemic peak of COVID-19 in Colombia
By July 2022, four COVID-19 epidemic peaks and 210 lineages have been registered in Colombia, including several variants of interest and concern (INS, 2022). However, a higher number of cases and deaths occurred during the third epidemic peak, when the B.1.621 (Mu) variant was associated with 50% of the cases in the country (Álvarez-Díaz et al., 2022a). Although several factors in the clinical history of patients with COVID-19 have been associated with a severe or fatal outcome, including comorbidities, age, and smoking history (Zhang et al.Effectiveness of messenger RNA vaccines against infection with SARS-CoV-2 during the periods of Delta and Omicron variant predominance in Japan: the Vaccine Effectiveness, Networking, and Universal Safety (VENUS) study
Vaccination against infection with SARS-CoV-2 in the general population of Japan began on April 12, 2021, and booster vaccination (the third dose) began on December 1, 2021. The Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant was gradually replaced by the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant beginning in June 2021, and the Delta variant accounted for approximately 80% of infections in Japan in August 2021 (National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 2021). The Delta variant predominated until the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant surged in January 2022 (National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 2022; Ode et al.Critical pediatric neurological illness associated with COVID-19 (Omicron BA.2.3.7 variant) infection in Taiwan: immunological assessment and viral genome analysis in tertiary medical center
Since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, people all around the world have continued to fight it (Jian et al., 2022). However, as the virus evolves, more variants of concern have been reported (Chung et al., 2022). Patients with COVID-19 infection have also experienced neurological symptoms during the course of the infection (Nordvig et al., 2021). However, severe neurological complications have tended to be more common in children recently (Dilber et al., 2021; Valderas et al., 2022).Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 circulation using saliva testing in school children in Rome, Italy
Since October 2020, the identification of suspected cases and contact tracing in the Lazio region have been supported by active surveillance initiatives in schools through antigen tests performed mainly on saliva (Bordi et al., 2021; Iwasaki et al., 2020). For the school year 2021-2022, the National Plan implemented the “Plan for monitoring of the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in primary and lower secondary schools”. The Laboratory of Virology of the National Institute for Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani” was involved in the screening of saliva samples collected from students belonging to the local surveillance unit (ASL) RM3 of Rome.Validation of the NeuMoDx™ SARS-CoV-2 assay with COPAN eNAT® and E&O Viral PCR Sample Solution collection media types in comparison with other validated SARS-CoV-2 RNA assays
Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA are the gold standard for diagnosis because of their high sensitivity and specificity (Park et al., 2020). Assay validation during the pandemic was challenging because of the need for rapid implementation of novel tests (Vandenberg et al., 2021).Admissions to a large tertiary care hospital and Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction positivity: primary, contributing, or incidental COVID-19
Monitoring national hospitalization rates for COVID-19 has been essential throughout the pandemic to guide public health decision-making and to evaluate vaccine efficacy. However, with the rapid worldwide spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant of concern (associated with a decreased severity) and increasing immunity against SARS-CoV-2, interpreting the true impact of these hospitalization rates has been complicated (Viana et al., 2022; World Health Organization, 2021).Assessing the proportion of the Danish population at risk of clinically significant drug-drug interactions with new oral antivirals for early treatment of COVID-19
Infection with SARS-CoV-2 usually causes mild to moderate respiratory disease. However, elderly patients and those with underlying chronic medical conditions are at high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19 (Ko et al., 2021; Thakur et al., 2021).Is a single dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19 vaccine (AZD1222) enough for people with prior SARS‐CoV‐2 infection or baseline seropositive status?
At present, the most effective strategy against the COVID-19 pandemic is to reach a point where the majority of the population is immune, either from natural infection or vaccination. Complete vaccination is a herculean task in a populous country such as India due to limited vaccine availability. Two doses are needed for most vaccines, where the second dose acts as a booster. Alternatively, SARS-CoV-2 infection could act as a natural vaccine (Prime dose) after which, one dose could act as a booster dose and may give adequate immunity.A metropolitan-scale, three-dimensional agent-based model to assess the effectiveness of the COVID-19 Omicron wave interventions in a hyperdense city: a case study of Hong Kong
Despite its stringent containment measures, Hong Kong has experienced a most challenging COVID-19 wave due to the Omicron variant (Mallapaty, 2022). Implementing a citywide ‘compulsory universal testing’ (CUT) and a citywide lockdown was a subject of debate in March 2022 (South China Morning Post, 2022).Humoral and adaptive immune responses to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine
Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 prevent infection and adverse outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 (Olliaro et al., 2021). Elicitation of high affinity and durable protective antibody responses is a hallmark of a successful humoral immune response to vaccination (Turner et al., 2021). Antibody responses decline sharply at six months, particularly after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines (Collier et al., 2021). A recent study showed that after 20 weeks or more, the vaccination with two doses is effective against COVID-19–related hospitalization and death with a waning of the clinical protection in older adults and fragile/co-morbid patients (Andrews et al., 2022).SARS-CoV-2 intra-host evolution during prolonged infection in an immunocompromised patient
During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, several cases of prolonged infections were reported in immunosuppressed patients (Dolan et al., 2021). Most of these cases revealed an intra-host viral evolution, which allows the virus to accumulate mutations faster than during normal inter-host transmission (Avanzato et al., 2020; Leung et al., 2022). During these prolonged infections, SARS-CoV-2 can acquire mutations at key epitopes in the Spike (S) protein, potentially affecting virus replication, infectivity, and antigenicity, which are common to the variants of concern (VOCs) (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 2022).Invasive Pneumococcal Disease diminish during the onset of COVID-19 in Japan between 2019 and 2022
Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) at a patient's sterile site, including the cerebrospinal fluid and blood, and commonly presents with septicemia, meningitis, and pneumonia (Dowell et al., 2003). In Japan, both children and older individuals receive public support for pneumococcal vaccination. Pneumococcal vaccine coverage has been increased since the launch of the vaccine program (Naito et al., 2020).Risk Factors Associated with Severe/Critical COVID-19 in People Living with HIV-1
Risk factors have been described as associated with severe forms of COVID-19 (Zhang et al., 2020). Persons living with HIV-1 (PLWH1) often carry such comorbidities. As shown by Bhaskaran et al (2021), PLWH1 are at a greater risk of developing a severe form of COVID-19. Our objective was to determine the characteristics associated with the development of a severe or critical form of COVID-19 in a cohort of PLWH1 who were followed up at the Bichat-Claude Bernard University Hospital in Paris, France.Real-world effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination among children in Italy
In this study, we analyzed the clinical efficacy of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines among Italian children aged 5 to 11 years, using data published by the National Institute of Health. Vaccination status was associated with a reduced risk of COVID-19–related hospitalizations and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, which were 41% (odds ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46-0.77) and 68% (odds ratio, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.04-2.63), respectively, lower in children who completed the vaccination cycle <120 days than in the unvaccinated matched population.High population burden of Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) is associated with the emergence of severe hepatitis of unknown etiology in children
The Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) emerged in late 2021, causing a widespread epidemic across the world, including in countries that had taken containment strategy with “zero-COVID” policy (Petersen et al., 2022). In industrialized countries that have experienced major extensive epidemics of Omicron, substantial fraction of the population was exposed, including children. For instance, a published seroepidemiological study in the United States indicated that approximately 75% of children have been infected by the end of February 2022 (Clarke et al., 2022).Early remdesivir to prevent severe COVID-19 in recipients of solid organ transplant: a real-life study from Northern Italy
COVID-19 remains a life-threatening disease for recipients of solid organ transplant (SOT) who might not mount an adequate protective response to vaccination (Sait et al., 2022). With this in mind, it is extremely relevant to deal with the recent SARS-CoV-2 infection in these patients, starting with treatments which may prevent the COVID-19 progression (National Institutes of Health, 2022b).Real-world effectiveness of BNT162b2 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection among adolescents (12 to 17-year-olds) in Malaysia
Vaccinating against the SARS-CoV-2 virus to achieve high population immunity is essential to realise health and socio-economic goals driving the global COVID-19 vaccination strategy (World Health Organization. Strategy to achieve global COVID-19 vaccination by mid-2022.). In Malaysia, the national vaccination programme for COVID-19 began in February 2021 using a diverse platform of vaccines (Suah et al., 2021). It was demonstrated that they offer considerable protection, particularly against severe outcomes (Suah et al., 2022, 2021).Colorimetric detection of SARS-CoV-2 by uracil-DNA glycosylase (UDG) reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)
It has been more than two years since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Rapid diagnostic methods such as reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) (Notomi et al., 2000) are critically important to minimize the spread of the illness and protect the public.SARS-COV-2 IgG positivity in vaccinated and non-vaccinated Chilean children: a national cross-sectional study in schools
COVID-19 vaccination of children is gaining global support (Committee on Infectious Diseases, 2022), and data on immunogenicity and efficacy/effectiveness are increasing (Walter et al., 2022; Frenck et al., 2021; Han et al., 2021). Chile has rapidly advanced in a national vaccination campaign for children: as of February 17, 2022, 79% of children aged 3–17 years have been fully vaccinated (Ministerio de Salud Chile, 2022). Children aged 12–17 years have been vaccinated since June 22, 2021, with the mRNA Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, followed weeks later by children aged 6–11 years, who received the inactivated Sinovac vaccine.COVID-19 vaccines provide better protection against related pneumonia than previous symptomatic infection
The burden of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico has been high and by mid-October 2021, more than 3.7 million laboratory-confirmed cases have been registered, with more than 280 thousand deaths.Using SARS-CoV-2 anti-S IgG levels as a marker of previous infection: example from an Israeli healthcare worker cohort.
Detecting current or previous SARS-CoV-2 infection is an essential component of pandemic management. Beyond case ascertainment and contact tracing, previous infection knowledge determines reinfection risk, the number and timing of vaccine doses required (Abu Jabal et al., 2021; Hansen et al., 2021), and can serve as evidence to attribute postviral symptoms to infection. Determining acute infection status relies on detecting viral DNA through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or viral proteins through rapid antigen testing which has limited sensitivity (Wölfl-Duchek et al., 2022).Effect of a two-dose vs three-dose vaccine strategy in residential colleges using an empirical proximity network
When SARS-CoV-2 escalated to a pandemic in early 2020, universities and colleges were forced to pivot to virtual instruction. As of fall 2021, many institutions of higher education had reopened, adopting and often mandating mitigation measures like indoor masking, social distancing, regular testing, and vaccination. However, the emergence of the Omicron B.1.1.529 variant in November 2021 disrupted this new routine. The Omicron variant has been shown to be highly transmissible, with researchers estimating the effective reproduction number of Omicron as 3.19 times higher than that of the Delta strain (Ito et al., 2021).Diagnostic accuracy of SARS-CoV-2 saliva antigen testing in a real-life clinical setting
Testing for SARS-CoV-2 is an essential component of the pandemic response. Rapid antigen tests using saliva were suggested as a quick, simple, comfortable, and non-invasive testing method. Only minimal training is required to conduct these tests, facilitating application in various primary care and even self-testing settings. Several studies suggested that saliva antigen tests might have an adequate performance in diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection (Mattiuzzi et al., 2020). However, little is known about the diagnostic accuracy in real-life clinical settings, which might be significantly different from that reported in manufacturer data (Jegerlehner et al., 2021, Mattiuzzi et al., 2020).Third of patients have gustatory dysfunction 9 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection: the ANOSVID study
Olfactory and/or gustatory dysfunctions (OGD) are specific symptoms of COVID-19 (Salmon Ceron et al., 2020). Olfactory (OD) dysfunction have drawn considerable attention in the beginning of the pandemic, more than gustatory dysfunction (GD) (Klopfenstein et al., 2020; Parma et al., 2020). However, OGD's impact on quality of life seems to be majority due to GD (Coelho et al., 2021) which is defined as partial (hypogeusia) or complete (ageusia) loss of taste. Questions about COVID-19 GD remain, especially GD duration and the proportion of patients with persistent GD (Hopkins et al., 2021).Genomic profiles of vaccine breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 strains from Odisha, India
In India, five COVID-19 vaccines are authorized for emergency use, of which the adenovirus-vector based vaccine from Oxford University and AstraZeneca UK, marketed as COVISHIELD, and the indigenous inactivated virus vaccine COVAXIN by Bharat Biotech are majorly deployed through government and private healthcare centers. Both the vaccines pose tolerable safety outcomes and enhanced immune responses (Ella et al., 2021; Voysey et al., 2021). Recent in vitro studies showed that sera from the Pfizer- or the AstraZeneca-vaccinated individuals are less effective in neutralizing the Delta variant compared with the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant (Planas et al., 2021).Decreased severity of the Omicron variant of concern: further evidence from Italy
We are currently facing a COVID-19 pandemic ongoing wave because of the Omicron variant, owing to its very high transmissibility with a doubling time between 1.5 to 3 days (Pascarella et al., 2021).COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant: a light at the end of the tunnel?
We read with interest the recent article of Abdullah et al., who concluded that a significantly lower severity of illness associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron B.1.1.529 variant-driven epidemic wave had been observed in Tshwane, South Africa (Abdullah et al., 2021). This agrees with evidence recently published in other studies from South Africa, the United States, and the United Kingdom (Mahase, 2021), which also reported a similar suggestion of decreased pathogenicity associated with this new and highly mutated Omicron lineages (Lippi, Mattiuzzi and Henry, 2021).Revisiting SARS-CoV-2 environmental contamination by patients with COVID-19: The Omicron variant does not differ from previous strains
SARS-CoV-2 was shown to be transmitted mainly by respiratory droplets and direct contact with contagious individuals. Previously, we characterized this transmissibility through contaminated inanimate surfaces, which is indirect contact (Ben-Shmuel et al., 2020). Recently, emergence of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant caused a global surge in new cases, rapidly spreading while seemingly causing an altered, less severe disease (Araf et al., 2022; Kannan et al., 2021). The infection rate raised concerns regarding the variant's mode of spread in the populace.Number of initial symptoms is more related to long COVID-19 than acute severity of infection: a prospective cohort of hospitalized patients
Post–COVID-19 symptoms experienced by many survivors after infection have a further devastating effect. Reports of risk factors of long COVID-19 are rising, but data including reliable assessment of persistent symptoms through structured face-to-face follow-up visits are scarce (Halpin et al., 2021). Here we report a study assessing risk factors associated with post–COVID-19 symptoms in hospitalized patients, including those requiring intensive care unit (ICU) transfer 4 months after admission. We also provide data on objective measures of COVID-19 severity, for example, oxygen requirement, inflammatory biomarkers, and radiologic findings.Exported cases were infected on the way: A conjecture derived from analysis on Hong Kong monthly exported COVID-19 cases
During this COVID-19 pandemic, imported cases have played the role of triggering outbreaks in their arrival city and exported cases are used to infer the infection risk in their departure city (Imai et al., 2020; Menkir et al., 2021). Hong Kong, as a hub of international travel, faced this situation in particular. However, we argue that in the current phase of the pandemic, the role of exported cases in inferring the infection risk in their departure city loses its power; we use Hong Kong, an international travel hub, as an example.Comparison of the clinical sensitivity and specificity of two commercial RNA SARS-CoV-2 assays
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have developed several diagnostic assays for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard for diagnosis of active SARS-CoV-2 infections because of its high sensitivity and specificity (Park et al., 2020). Automation in molecular diagnostics enables scaling of testing capacity, which is critical for enabling a large number of tests (Eigner et al., 2019).Antibody response after a third dose mRNA-1273 vaccine among vaccinated healthcare workers with two doses of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine
Health care workers (HCWs) are at the frontline battling against the COVID-19 pandemic and are categorized as a priority target group for COVID-19 vaccines. CoronaVac (Sinovac Life Sciences, China), an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, was the initially available vaccine platform and primarily administered to Indonesian HCWs. Although previous clinical trial studies in China (Zhang et al., 2021) and Turkey (Tanriover et al., 2021) have evidenced the immunogenicity of 2-dose CoronaVac, the antibody levels predictive for SARS-CoV-2 protection has declined over time (Mok et al., 2021).Hospitalized patients with breakthrough COVID-19: Clinical features and poor outcome predictors
Vaccine breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection, that is, COVID-19 appearing in fully vaccinated patients, is an emerging challenge (Bahl et al., 2021). The severity of the disease in vaccinated patients has not often been described, and data are scarce regarding the groups most at risk and the prognosis and outcomes for patients who are hospitalized. (CDCMMWR, 2021; Tenforde et al., 2021).Independent risk factors of COVID-19 pneumonia in vaccinated Mexican adults
The availability of vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represent a significant step toward ending the pandemic, and most COVID-19 vaccines confer close to 100% reduction in the risk of serious illness or death (Sharma et al. 2021). In Mexico, vaccination of the general population started in mid-February 2021, and by June 2021, 7 COVID-19 vaccines have received approval by health authorities for their application in Mexico: BNT162b2 (Pfizer, Inc./BioNTech), AZD1222 Covishield (AstraZeneca), Gam-COVID-Vac (National Center Gamaleya), CoronaVac (Sinovac Research and Development Co.), Ad5-nCoV Covidecia (CanSino Biologics Inc.), BBV152 Covaxin (Bharat Biotech International Limited), and Ad26.COV2-S (Janssen-Cilag).Exploring the trajectory recovery curve of the number of post-COVID Symptoms: The LONG-COVID-EXP-CM Multicenter Study
Evidence supports that between 35% to 60% of COVID-19 survivors will experience post-COVID-19 symptoms (Fernández-de-las-Peñas et al., 2021). The presence of post-COVID-19 symptoms is associated with worse quality of life (Malik et al., 2022). Almost 90% of studies investigating post-COVID-19 symptoms are cross-sectional (Fernández-de-las-Peñas et al., 2021; Malik et al., 2022). Longitudinal studies assessing symptoms at different follow-up up periods have provided heterogeneous results. Huang et al. (2021) reported a decrease of most post-COVID-19 symptoms, whereas Seeßle et al.COVID-19 and Lassa fever in Nigeria: A deadly alliance?
COVID-19 has become one of the most dangerous pandemics to cause severe problems for humanity in the past decades. SARS-CoV-2, a virus that causes COVID-19, emanated from China in December 2019, when public health officials alerted the World Health Organization (WHO) about pneumonia of an unknown etiology (WHO, 2021; Li et al., 2020). Subsequently, the disease rapidly spread worldwide. Nigeria faces a potential public health crisis owing to the synergistic epidemic of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases (Sherrard-Smith et al., 2020; Bouba et al., 2021).Severe Outcomes, Readmission, and Length of Stay Among COVID-19 Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) are a broad group of conditions characterized by physical impairments and impairments in learning, language, and/or behavior that begin during the developmental period. Comorbidities, immune dysfunction, or difficulty in accessing health care may put individuals with IDD at greater risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes (Kamalakannan et al., 2021). Population-based studies have predominately evaluated mortality risk but not other outcomes including length of stay (LOS) and readmission (Clift et al., 2021; Karpur et al., 2021; Perera et al., 2020; Turk et al., 2020).Symptoms Experienced at the Acute Phase of SARS-CoV-2 Infection as Risk Factor of Long-term Post-COVID Symptoms: The LONG-COVID-EXP-CM Multicenter Study
The presence of symptoms after COVID range from 35% to 60% (Fernández-de-las-Peñas et al., 2021). Identification of risk factors is needed for early monitoring of individuals at a high risk of developing symptoms after COVID, yet present data are still limited (Iqbal et al., 2021). Potential identified risk factors described in former literature include female gender, more onset symptoms (higher symptom load), older age, longer hospital stay, and a higher number of co-morbidities (Yong et al., 2021).Comparing self-reported reactogenicity between adolescents and adults following the use of BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccine: a prospective cohort study
The BNT162b2 messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccine, widely used in more than 100 countries worldwide, has been shown to be safe and effective in protecting populations from the infection of SARS-CoV-2 (Polack et al., 2020; Thomas et al., 2021; Walsh et al., 2020). According to clinical trial data, more than 80% of BNT162b2 recipients reported post-vaccination adverse reactions such as pain and tiredness, although an extremely small proportion of these reactions required medical interventions (Polack et al., 2020).Bloodstream infections in hospitalized patients before and during the COVID-19 surge in a community hospital in the South Bronx
New York City's (NYC) public health system, which predominantly serves lower-income communities, bore the burden of care and had to ramp up services to respond to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic. An increase in critical-care beds, staffing, and equipment was integral to the response, especially in our hospital in the South Bronx, where the number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds were augmented from 34 to 195 (Uppal et al., 2020). Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 usually have severe/critical infection with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), shock, coagulopathies, and multiorgan failure (Zaim et al., 2020).Role of institutional, cultural and economic factors in the effectiveness of lockdown measures
Nothing is possible without men, but nothing lasts without institutions.The impact of the COVID-19 preventive measures on influenza transmission: molecular and epidemiological evidence
We quantify the impact of COVID-19-related control measures on the spread of human influenza virus H1N1 and H3N2.Utilisation of SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen assays in screening asymptomatic hospital visitors: mitigating the risk in low-incidence settings
During the COVID-19 pandemic, while mandatory point-of-entry screening of hospital visitors for respiratory symptoms/fever has been widely implemented (Wee et al., 2021a), asymptomatic visitors may escape detection and have been implicated in nosocomial clusters (Passarelli et al., 2021). However, screening for COVID-19 among hospital visitors poses significant challenges. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is unsuitable for testing visitors, with long turnarounds preventing real-time processing of results (Passarelli et al., 2021).SARS-CoV-2 variants with T135I nucleocapsid mutations may affect antigen test performance
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), similar to other RNA viruses, continually mutates, and new variants appear and eventually become dominant. Several SARS-CoV-2 genes have a tendency to evolve, including those encoding the nucleocapsid (N) and spike (S) proteins (Dilucca et al., 2020) [Au?1]. By the end of December 2020, new SARS-CoV-2 variants with multiple accumulated mutations had emerged, and these variants of concern (VOCs) have reportedly been associated with increased transmissibility or decreased effectiveness of available diagnostic tools (Boehm et al., 2021) [Au?1].Negative effect of the second dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine in a significant percentage of individuals with previous COVID infection
Despite the efforts made since the beginning of the pandemic, the infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 is far from being under control. In the current situation, vaccines can be a turning point in the fight against the virus, and all countries attempt to encourage vaccination in their inhabitants, mainly in those groups with the highest risk.Emergence of B.1.1.318 SARS-CoV-2 viral lineage and high incidence of alpha B.1.1.7 variant of concern in the Republic of Gabon
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) appear to spread more easily. Other emerging variants are also gaining attention, either known as a "variants of interest" (VOI) or "variants under investigation" (VUI), which increase transmission, warranting further studies. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 genomes have accumulated genetic diversity, leading to increased transmission with altered viral properties (Kraemer et al. 2021).Mutations in emerging variant of concern lineages disrupt genomic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 clinical specimens
Genomic sequencing of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has played a crucial role in managing the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This is especially true for variant of concern (VOC) lineages that have emerged globally since December 2020 (Chand et al., 2020; Cherian et al., 2021; Faria et al., 2021; Tegally et al., 2021a, 2021b; Rambault et al., 2020). Genomic sequencing has been instrumental in detecting and characterizing these lineages, tracking their global spread, and identifying local cases to control transmission.Emerging socio-economic disparities in COVID-19-related deaths during the second pandemic wave in Germany
During the first pandemic wave of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) from early March to mid-May 2020, the regional socio-economic patterning of infections in Germany differed from that reported from other high-income countries, revealing lower infection rates in socio-economically deprived areas of Germany in the early phase of the first wave (Wachtler et al., 2020a,b). However, during the second pandemic wave from late September 2020 to early March 2021, this pattern reversed, so that Germany's more deprived areas ended up with higher infection rates as of the end of 2020 (Hoebel et al., 2021).
