Rapid Spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern 202012/01 in Southern Italy (December 2020–March 2021)

Daniela Loconsole, Francesca Centrone, Caterina Morcavallo, Silvia Campanella, Anna Sallustio, Marisa Accogli, Francesca Fortunato, Antonio Parisi and Maria Chironna
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Daniela Loconsole: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology-Hygiene Section, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Francesca Centrone: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology-Hygiene Section, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Caterina Morcavallo: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology-Hygiene Section, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Silvia Campanella: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology-Hygiene Section, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Anna Sallustio: Hygiene Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Marisa Accogli: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology-Hygiene Section, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Francesca Fortunato: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
Antonio Parisi: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy
Maria Chironna: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology-Hygiene Section, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-7

Abstract: Epidemiological and virological studies have revealed that SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) are emerging globally, including in Europe. The aim of this study was to evaluate the spread of B.1.1.7-lineage SARS-CoV-2 in southern Italy from December 2020–March 2021 through the detection of the S gene target failure (SGTF), which could be considered a robust proxy of VOC B.1.1.7. SGTF was assessed on 3075 samples from week 52/2020 to week 10/2021. A subset of positive samples identified in the Apulia region during the study period was subjected to whole-genome sequencing (WGS). A descriptive and statistical analysis of the demographic and clinical characteristics of cases according to SGTF status was performed. Overall, 20.2% of samples showed SGTF; 155 strains were confirmed as VOC 202012/01 by WGS. The proportion of SGTF-positive samples rapidly increased over time, reaching 69.2% in week 10/2021. SGTF-positive cases were more likely to be symptomatic and to result in hospitalization ( p < 0.0001). Despite the implementation of large-scale non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), such as the closure of schools and local lockdowns, a rapid spread of VOC 202012/01 was observed in southern Italy. Strengthened NPIs and rapid vaccine deployment, first among priority groups and then among the general population, are crucial both to contain the spread of VOC 202012/01 and to flatten the curve of the third wave.

Keywords: surveillance; VOC 202012/01-B.1.1.7 lineage SARS-CoV-2; variants of concern; COVID-19; Italy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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