Comparing Prospective Incident Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection Rates During Successive Waves of Delta and Omicron in Johannesburg, South Africa

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...

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Published in:Open forum infectious diseases 2022-12, Vol.9 (12), p.ofac587-ofac587
Main 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
Format: Article
Language:English
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Brief Report
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Summary: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. 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.
ISSN:2328-8957
2328-8957
DOI:10.1093/ofid/ofac587