Determination of SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Seroprevalence in Accra, Ghana during the Delta-Omicron Waves

• DOI: 10.20944/preprints202209.0390.v1
• Publication Date: 2022-09-26T07:53:47Z
• Authors: Irene Owusu Donkor; Elvis Suatey Lomotey; Jewelna Akorli; Millicent Opoku; Emmanuel Frimpong...; Kojo M. Sedzro; Nana Efua Andoh; Yvonne Ashong; Benjamin Abuaku; Kwadwo Ansah Koram; Vincent Munster
• Keywords: Seroprevalence; Herd Immunity

A significant proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Africa are identified as asymptomatic, facilitating the silent spread virus especially populated urban cities. With surge highly transmissible Omicron variant, inclusion asymptomatics epidemiological surveys is key estimating true and seroprevalence population. The aim study was to determine seroprevalence, active infection circulating variants Accra, capital city Ghana during wave. a cross-sectional survey conducted 22 municipalities December 2021. Naso-oropharyngeal swabs serum samples were collected from 1027 individuals aged 5 years above, for detection by RT-qPCR estimation total antibodies using WANTAI ELISA kit. Our results show 10% prevalence, with Delta accounting 44.1% 8.8% infections, respectively. most prevalent (48.9.%) among 20–39-year-olds. Asymptomatic accounted 75.2% infections. Seropositivity within population 86.8%, 60+ year group having significantly higher likelihood exposure (OR 10.22: 95% CI: 3.51-29.73; p<0.001). This high appears have been result increased vaccination this 2.7: CI 1.78-4.09, p < 0.001). seropositivity could be good indication herd immunity while low rate supports role reducing viral transmission.