Comparing Prospective Incident Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection Rates During Successive Waves of Delta and Omicron in Johannesburg, South Africa. (16th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sokhela, Simiso; Bosch, Bronwyn; Hill, Andrew; Simmons, Bryony; Woods, Joana; Johnstone, Hilary; Madhi, Shabir; Qavi, Ambar; Ellis, Leah; Akpomiemie, Godspower; Bhaskar, Esther; Levi, Jacob; Falconer, Jonathan; Mirchandani, Manya; Perez Casas, Carmen; Moller, Karlien; Pilkington, Victoria; Pepperrell, Toby; Venter, Willem Daniel Francois
• Is Part Of: Open forum infectious diseases. Volume 9:Number 12(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12-16
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- SARS-CoV-2 -- Delta -- Omicron -- South Africa; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac587
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2328-8957

Abstract

Abstract: In high-risk individuals in Johannesburg, during the Delta coronavirus disease 2019 wave, 22% (125/561) were positive, with 33% symptomatic (2 hospitalizations; 1 death). During Omicron, 56% (232/411) were infected, with 24% symptomatic (no hospitalizations or deaths). The remarkable speed of infection of Omicron over Delta poses challenges to conventional severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 control measures. Abstract : Healthcare workers in Johannesburg were tested for SARS-CoV-2 virus and antibodies during the Delta and Omicron waves in 2021. Infection rates were higher in the Omicron wave (47%) versus the Delta wave (22%), but the infections were less severe with Omicron, with no hospitalisations required.