The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Germany may represent the sum of a large number of local but independent epidemics each initiated by individuals aged 10-19 years, middle-aged males, or elderly individuals.

ABSTRACT: Many epidemiological aspects of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemics, particularly those affecting children, are still sparsely elucidated. Data on the first pandemic phase during the year 2020 indicated that children might serve as a virus reservoir. We now analyzed data on more than 530 000 SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 12 503 anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests performed in the west of Germany until Week 4 of 2021. We show that children of at least 10 years of age may play a prominent role in the pandemic showing highest PCR-positive rates in the first (Weeks 28-35), second (Weeks 42-48), and third wave (Week 50 of 2020-Week 2 2021) of the second pandemic phase, although the waves were not mainly initiated by children. The waves' kinetic

SUBMITTER: Hausler M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9088573 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature