Epidemiological characteristics of the B.1.526 SARS-CoV-2 variant

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm0300
• Publication Date: 2022-01-28T18:54:32Z
• Authors: Wan Yang; Sharon K. Greene; Eric R. Peterson; Wenhui Li; Robert Mathes; Laura Graf; Ramona Lall; Scott Hughes; Jade Wang; Anne Fine
• Keywords: Herd Immunity; Case fatality rate; Preparedness

To characterize the epidemiological properties of B.1.526 SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) variant interest, here we used nine and population datasets model-inference methods to reconstruct transmission dynamics in New York City, where emerged. We estimated that had a moderate increase (15 25%) transmissibility, could escape immunity 0 10% previously infected individuals, substantially increased infection fatality risk (IFR) among adults 65 or older by >60% during November 2020 April 2021, compared estimates for preexisting variants. Overall, findings suggest new variants like likely spread weeks before detection partial immune (e.g., resistance therapeutic antibodies) offset prior medical advances IFR. Early preparedness close monitoring variants, their characteristics, disease severity are thus crucial COVID-19 (coronavirus 2019) response.