Community-level variability in Bronx COVID-19 hospitalizations associated with differing population immunity during the second year of the pandemic.

ABSTRACT: The Bronx, New York, exhibited unique peaks in the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and hospitalizations compared to national trends. To determine which features of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus might underpin this local disease epidemiology, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the genomic epidemiology of the four dominant strains of SARS-CoV-2 (Alpha, Iota, Delta, and Omicron) responsible for COVID-19 cases in the Bronx between March 2020 and January 2023. Genomic analysis revealed similar viral fitness for Alpha and Iota variants in the Bronx despite nationwide data showing higher cases of Alpha. However, Delta and Omicron variants had increased fitness within the borough. While the transmission dynamics of most variants in

SUBMITTER: Forster R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11604118 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature