VERUCA JAMES AT CRAZYBALLS SERIAL
To this end, we assessed participants in a large observational cohort for whom serial SARS-CoV-2 serological assays had been performed before or after the onset of the Omicron variant surge in this region. We aimed to examine awareness of infectious status among individuals during the recent Omicron variant surge in a diverse and populous urban region of Los Angeles County in California. 7 - 9 Although rapid antigen testing kits, which were distributed to facilitate self-diagnosis, are now widely available throughout the US, the extent to which some individuals with Omicron variant infection are unaware of their infection while it is actively transmissible is unknown. Multiple previous studies have indicated that asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections are likely triggers of outbreaks as well as ongoing rapid person-to-person transmission across communities. Prominent among these unknown variables is the extent to which infected individuals may be unaware of their infectious status. 6ĭespite all of the known factors in the Omicron variant surge, there remain unknown variables. 5 Beyond the specific factors associated with the variant and vaccines, public health guidance on masking and social distancing has been changing along with adherence to public health policies in general. 3, 4 Furthermore, available vaccines have had variable efficacy against the Omicron variant, and waning levels of immunity provided by vaccinations administered up to 1 year earlier likely also compounded the magnitude of the Omicron variant surge. 1, 2 In particular, alterations of the Omicron variant have been implicated because of its greater transmissibility compared with previous SARS-CoV-2 variants, as demonstrated by higher infection rates within households. The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant across communities worldwide has been attributed to several factors, including transmissibility features of the viral variant, limited coverage by available vaccines, and changes in face mask use and socializing behaviors. Unawareness may be a highly prevalent factor associated with rapid person-to-person transmission within communities. In multivariable analyses that accounted for demographic and clinical characteristics, participants who were health care employees of the medical center were more likely than nonemployees to be aware of their recent Omicron variant infection (adjusted odds ratio, 2.46 95% CI, 1.30-4.65).Ĭonclusions and Relevance Results of this study suggest that more than half of adults with recent Omicron variant infection were unaware of their infectious status and that awareness was higher among health care employees than nonemployees, yet still low overall. Among those who were unaware, 10% (12 of 118) reported having had any symptoms, which they attributed to a common cold or other non–SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results Of the 210 participants (median age, 51 (23-84) years 136 women ) with serological evidence of recent Omicron variant infection, 44% (92) demonstrated awareness of any recent Omicron variant infection and 56% (118) reported being unaware of their infectious status. Main Outcomes and Measures Awareness of recent SARS-CoV-2 infection was ascertained from review of self-reported health updates, medical records, and COVID-19 testing data. Adults with evidence of new SARS-CoV-2 infection occurring during the Omicron variant surge period through May 4, 2022, were included in the present study sample.Įxposures Recent Omicron variant infection as evidenced by SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion. These participants had 2 or more serial anti-nucleocapsid IgG (IgG-N) antibody measurements at least 1 month apart, with the first occurring after the end of a regional Delta variant surge (September 15, 2021) and a subsequent one occurring after the start of a regional Omicron variant surge (December 15, 2021). Objective To examine awareness of infectious status among individuals during the recent Omicron variant surge in a diverse and populous urban region of Los Angeles County.ĭesign, Setting, and Participants This cohort study analyzed the records of adult employees and patients of an academic medical center who were enrolled in a longitudinal COVID-19 serological study in Los Angeles County, California. Importance Some individuals who were infected by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant may have been completely unaware of their infectious status while the virus was actively transmissible.
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