학술논문
SARS-CoV-2 variants-associated outbreaks of COVID-19 in a tertiary institution, North-Central Nigeria: Implications for epidemic control.
Document Type
Article
Author
Adeyemi, Oluwapelumi Olufemi; Ndodo, Nnaemeka Darlington; Sulaiman, Mariam Kehinde; Ayansola, Oyeronke Temidayo; Buhari, Oluwabunmi Idera Nimat; Akanbi, Olusola Anuoluwapo; Bolarinwa, Oladimeji Akeem; Chukwu, Chimaobi; Joel, Ireoluwa Yinka; Omoare, Adesuyi Ayodeji; Wahab, Kolawole Wasiu; Obiekea, Celestina; Buhari, Mikhail Olayinka; Ahumibe, Anthony; Kolawole, Caroline Folasade; Okoi, Catherine; Omotesho, Olumuyiwa Babagbemi; Mba, Nwando; Adeniyi, Oluwafemi; Babatunde, Olajumoke
Source
Subject
*COVID-19 pandemic
*SARS-CoV-2
*NUCLEOTIDE sequencing
*COMMUNICABLE diseases
*INFECTIOUS disease transmission
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Language
ISSN
1932-6203
Abstract
The COVID-19 global pandemic is being driven by evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants with consequential implications on virus transmissibility, host immunity, and disease severity. Continuous molecular and genomic surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 variants is therefore necessary for public health interventions toward the management of the pandemic. This study is a retrospective analysis of COVID-19 cases reported in a Nigerian tertiary institution from July to December 2021. In total, 705 suspected COVID-19 cases that comprised 547 students and 158 non-students were investigated by real time PCR (RT-PCR); of which 372 (~52.8%) tested positive for COVID-19. Using a set of selection criteria, 74 (~19.9%) COVID-19 positive samples were selected for next generation sequencing. Data showed that there were two outbreaks of COVID-19 within the university community over the study period, during which more females (56.8%) tested positive than males (47.8%) (p<0.05). Clinical data together with phylogenetic analysis suggested community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through mostly asymptomatic and/or pre-symptomatic individuals. Confirmed COVID-19 cases were mostly mild, however, SARS-CoV-2 delta (77%) and omicron (4.1%) variants were implicated as major drivers of respective waves of infections during the study period. This study highlights the importance of integrated surveillance of communicable disease during outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]