About
Us:
The
Ontario
COVID-19
Science
Advisory
Table
is
a
group
of
scientific
experts
and
health
system
leaders
who
evaluate
report
on
emerging
evidence
relevant
to
the
pandemic,
inform
Ontario's
response.Our
mandate
provide
weekly
summaries
for
Health
Coordination
Province
Ontario,
integrating
information
from
existing
tables,
universities
agencies,
best
global
evidence.The
summarizes
its
findings
public
in
Briefs.
Vaccines,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
10(6), P. 919 - 919
Published: June 9, 2022
Severe
acute
respiratory
syndrome
coronavirus
2
(SARS-CoV-2)
is
a
virus
that
belongs
to
the
family
and
cause
of
disease
2019
(COVID-19).
As
May
2022,
it
had
caused
more
than
500
million
infections
6
deaths
worldwide.
Several
vaccines
have
been
produced
tested
over
last
two
years.
The
SARS-CoV-2
virus,
on
other
hand,
has
mutated
time,
resulting
in
genetic
variation
population
circulating
variants
during
COVID-19
pandemic.
It
also
shown
immune-evading
characteristics,
suggesting
vaccinations
against
these
could
be
potentially
ineffective.
purpose
this
review
article
investigate
key
concern
(VOCs)
mutations
driving
current
pandemic,
as
well
explore
transmission
rates
VOCs
relation
epidemiological
factors
compare
virus's
rate
prior
coronaviruses.
We
examined
provided
information
study,
including
their
transmissibility,
infectivity
rate,
severity,
affinity
for
angiotensin-converting
enzyme
(ACE2)
receptors,
viral
load,
reproduction
number,
vaccination
effectiveness,
vaccine
breakthrough.
JAMA,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
328(15), P. 1523 - 1523
Published: Oct. 18, 2022
Importance
Data
on
the
epidemiology
of
mild
to
moderately
severe
COVID-19
are
needed
inform
public
health
guidance.
Objective
To
evaluate
associations
between
2
or
3
doses
mRNA
vaccine
and
attenuation
symptoms
viral
RNA
load
across
SARS-CoV-2
lineages.
Design,
Setting,
Participants
A
prospective
cohort
study
essential
frontline
workers
in
Arizona,
Florida,
Minnesota,
Oregon,
Texas,
Utah
with
infection
confirmed
by
reverse
transcriptase–polymerase
chain
reaction
testing
lineage
classified
whole
genome
sequencing
specimens
self-collected
weekly
at
illness
symptom
onset.
This
analysis
was
conducted
among
1199
participants
from
December
14,
2020,
April
19,
2022,
follow-up
until
May
9,
reported.
Exposures
(origin
strain,
Delta
variant,
Omicron
variant)
vaccination
status.
Main
Outcomes
Measures
Clinical
outcomes
included
presence
symptoms,
specific
(including
fever
chills),
duration,
medical
care
seeking.
Virologic
quantitative
along
viability.
Results
Among
(714
[59.5%]
women;
median
age,
41
years),
14.0%
were
infected
origin
24.0%
62.0%
variant.
vaccinated
second
dose
14
149
days
before
significantly
less
likely
be
symptomatic
compared
unvaccinated
(21/27
[77.8%]
vs
74/77
[96.1%];
OR,
0.13
[95%
CI,
0-0.6])
and,
when
symptomatic,
those
third
7
report
chills
(5/13
[38.5%]
62/73
[84.9%];
0.07
0.0-0.3])
reported
fewer
(10.2
16.4;
difference,
−6.1
−11.8
−0.4]
days).
infection,
risk
did
not
differ
for
2-dose
status
higher
3-dose
recipients
who
(327/370
[88.4%]
85/107
[79.4%];
2.0
1.1-3.5]).
infections,
(160/311
[51.5%]
64/81
[79.0%];
0.25
0.1-0.5])
seek
(45/308
[14.6%]
20/81
[24.7%];
0.45
0.2-0.9]).
infections
received
had
a
lower
mean
(3
4.1
log
10
copies/μL;
−1.0
−1.7
−0.2]
2.8
3.5
copies/μL,
−0.3]
Omicron).
Conclusions
Relevance
In
US
recent
than
150
variants,
being
unvaccinated,
associated
attenuated
duration
illness,
seeking,
some
comparisons,
although
precision
statistical
significance
estimates
varied.
Clinical Infectious Diseases,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
76(3), P. e400 - e408
Published: May 26, 2022
Abstract
Background
The
Omicron
variant
of
severe
acute
respiratory
syndrome
coronavirus
2
(SARS-CoV-2)
is
highly
transmissible
in
vaccinated
and
unvaccinated
populations.
dynamics
that
govern
its
establishment
propensity
toward
fixation
(reaching
100%
frequency
the
SARS-CoV-2
population)
communities
remain
unknown.
Here,
we
describe
at
3
institutions
higher
education
(IHEs)
greater
Boston
area.
Methods
We
use
diagnostic
variant-specifying
molecular
assays
epidemiological
analytical
approaches
to
rapid
dominance
following
introduction
into
IHEs
with
asymptomatic
surveillance
programs.
Results
show
precedes
state
region
time
shorter
(9.5–12.5
days)
than
(14.8
or
region.
trajectory
among
university
employees
resembles
students,
a
2-
3-day
delay.
Finally,
compare
cycle
threshold
values
vs
Delta
cases
on
college
campuses
identify
lower
viral
loads
affiliates
who
harbor
infections.
Conclusions
document
takeover
IHEs,
reaching
near-fixation
within
span
9.5–12.5
days
despite
loads,
average,
previously
dominant
variant.
These
findings
highlight
transmissibility
Omicron,
rapidly
dominate
small
populations,
ability
robust
programs
offer
early
insights
pathogen
arrival
spread.
PNAS Nexus,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
2(3)
Published: March 1, 2023
SARS-CoV-2
viral-load
measurements
from
a
single-specimen
type
are
used
to
establish
diagnostic
strategies,
interpret
clinical-trial
results
for
vaccines
and
therapeutics,
model
viral
transmission,
understand
virus-host
interactions.
However,
implicitly
assumed
be
representative
of
other
specimen
types.
We
quantified
timecourses
individuals
who
began
daily
self-sampling
saliva,
anterior-nares
(nasal),
oropharyngeal
(throat)
swabs
before
or
at
the
incidence
infection
with
Omicron
variant.
Viral
loads
in
different
types
same
person
timepoint
exhibited
extreme
differences,
up
109
copies/mL.
These
differences
were
not
due
variation
sample
self-collection,
which
was
consistent.
For
most
individuals,
longitudinal
did
correlate.
Throat-swab
saliva
rise
as
many
7
days
earlier
than
nasal-swab
leading
very
low
clinical
sensitivity
nasal
during
first
infection.
Individuals
frequently
presumably
infectious
one
while
undetectable
Therefore,
defining
an
individual
based
on
assessment
underestimates
period,
overestimates
ability
that
detect
individuals.
COVID-19
testing,
these
three
have
sensitivity,
whereas
combined
throat-nasal
swab,
assays
high
analytical
inferred
significantly
better
presumed
pre-infectious
FACETS,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
7, P. 1493 - 1597
Published: Jan. 1, 2022
Wastewater
surveillance
for
SARS-CoV-2
RNA
is
a
relatively
recent
adaptation
of
long-standing
wastewater
infectious
and
other
harmful
agents.
Individuals
infected
with
COVID-19
were
found
to
shed
in
their
faeces.
Researchers
around
the
world
confirmed
that
fragments
could
be
detected
quantified
community
wastewater.
Canadian
academic
researchers,
largely
as
volunteer
initiatives,
reported
proof-of-concept
by
April
2020.
National
collaboration
was
initially
facilitated
Water
Network.
Many
public
health
officials
skeptical
about
actionable
information
being
provided
even
though
experience
has
shown
pandemic
no
single,
perfect
approach.
Rather,
different
approaches
provide
insights,
each
its
own
strengths
limitations.
Public
science
must
triangulate
among
forms
evidence
maximize
understanding
what
happening
or
may
expected.
Well-conceived,
resourced,
implemented
wastewater-based
platforms
can
cost-effective
approach
support
conventional
lines
evidence.
Sustaining
monitoring
future
disease
targets
states
challenge.
Canada
benefit
from
taking
lessons
learned
develop
forward-looking
interpretive
frameworks
capacity
implement,
adapt,
expand
such
capabilities.
Environment International,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
171, P. 107718 - 107718
Published: Dec. 23, 2022
SARS-CoV-2
wastewater-based
surveillance
(WBS)
offers
a
tool
for
cost-effective
oversight
of
population's
infections.
In
the
past
two
years,
WBS
has
proven
to
be
crucial
managing
pandemic
across
different
geographical
regions.
However,
changing
context
due
high
levels
COVID-19
vaccination
warrants
closer
examination
its
implication
towards
WBS.
Two
main
questions
were
raised:
1)
Does
cause
shedding
viral
signatures
without
infection?
2)
affect
relationship
between
wastewater
and
clinical
data?
To
answer,
we
review
historical
reports
from
vaccines
in
use
prior
including
polio,
rotavirus,
influenza
measles
infection
provide
perspective
on
implications
strategies
with
regard
potential
into
sewershed.
Additionally,
reviewed
studies
that
looked
data
how
campaigns
could
have
affected
relationship.
Finally,
analyzing
Netherlands,
observed
changes
concomitant
increasing
coverage
switches
dominant
variants
concern.
First,
no
vaccine-derived
is
expected
current
commercial
pipeline
may
confound
interpretation
data.
Secondly,
breakthrough
infections
vaccinated
individuals
contribute
significantly
signals
must
interpreted
light
dynamics
new
Vaccines,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
10(8), P. 1223 - 1223
Published: July 30, 2022
In
the
light
of
lack
authorized
COVID-19
vaccines
adapted
to
Omicron
variant
lineage,
administration
first
and
second
booster
dose
is
recommended.
It
remains
important
monitor
efficacy
such
an
approach
in
order
inform
future
preventive
strategies.
The
present
paper
summarizes
research
progress
on
effectiveness
doses
COVID-19.
also
discusses
potential
vaccination
strategies
that
could
be
undertaken
maintain
high
levels
protection
during
waves
SARS-CoV-2
infections.
Although
this
can
based,
with
some
shortcomings,
first-generation
vaccines,
other
should
explored,
including
developing
multiple
antigen-based
(multivariant-adapted)
enhanced
durability
immune
protection,
e.g.,
through
optimization
half-life
generated
antibodies.
Molecules,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
27(7), P. 2221 - 2221
Published: March 29, 2022
The
coronavirus
disease
2019
(COVID-19)
pandemic
is
still
ongoing,
with
no
signs
of
abatement
in
sight.
severe
acute
respiratory
syndrome
2
(SARS-CoV-2),
which
the
causative
agent
this
and
has
claimed
over
5
million
lives,
mutating,
resulting
numerous
variants.
One
newest
variants
Omicron,
shows
an
increase
its
transmissibility,
but
also
reportedly
reduces
hospitalization
rates
milder
symptoms,
such
as
those
who
have
been
vaccinated.
As
a
result,
many
believe
that
Omicron
provides
natural
vaccination,
first
step
toward
ending
COVID-19
pandemic.
Based
on
published
research
scientific
evidence,
we
review
discuss
how
end
predicted
to
occur
result
being
surpassed
community.
In
light
findings
our
research,
it
most
likely
true
variant
way
vaccinating
masses
slowing
spread
deadly
While
mutation
causes
encouraging,
subsequent
mutations
do
not
guarantee
will
be
less
severe.
virus
continues
evolve,
humans
must
constantly
adapt
by
increasing
their
immunity
through
vaccination.