Clinical severity of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant relative to Delta in British Columbia, Canada: A retrospective analysis of whole genome sequenced cases.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In late 2021, the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant emerged and rapidly replaced Delta as the dominant variant globally. The increased transmissibility of the variant led to surges in case rates as well as increases in hospitalizations, however, the true severity of the variant remained unclear. We aimed to provide robust estimates of Omicron severity relative to Delta.

Methods

This study was conducted using a retrospective cohort design with data from the British Columbia COVID-19 Cohort - a large provincial surveillance platform with linkage to administrative datasets. To capture the time of co-circulation with Omicron and Delta, December 2021 was chosen as the study period. We included individuals diagnosed with Omicron or Delta infection, as determined by whole genom

SUBMITTER: Harrigan SP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9452171 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature