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Investigating the cause of a 2021 winter wave of COVID-19 in a border region in eastern Germany: a mixed-methods study, August to November 2021

It is so far unclear how the COVID-19 winter waves started and what should be done to prevent possible future waves. In this study, we deciphered the dynamic course of a winter wave in 2021 in Saxony, a state in Eastern Germany neighbouring the Czech Republic and Poland. The study was carried out th...

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Main Authors: Yi, Buqing (Author) , Patrasová, Eva (Author) , Šimůnková, Lenka (Author) , Rost, Fabian (Author) , Winkler, Sylke (Author) , Laubner, Alexa (Author) , Reinhardt, Susanne (Author) , Dahl, Andreas (Author) , Dalpke, Alexander (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 16 May 2024
In: Epidemiology and infection
Year: 2024, Volume: 152, Pages: 1-11
ISSN:1469-4409
DOI:10.1017/S0950268824000761
Online Access:Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268824000761
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Author Notes:Buqing Yi, Eva Patrasová, Lenka Šimůnková, Fabian Rost, Sylke Winkler, Alexa Laubner, Susanne Reinhardt, Andreas Dahl and Alexander H. Dalpke
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Summary:It is so far unclear how the COVID-19 winter waves started and what should be done to prevent possible future waves. In this study, we deciphered the dynamic course of a winter wave in 2021 in Saxony, a state in Eastern Germany neighbouring the Czech Republic and Poland. The study was carried out through the integration of multiple virus genomic epidemiology approaches to track transmission chains, identify emerging variants and investigate dynamic changes in transmission clusters. For identified local variants of interest, functional evaluations were performed. Multiple long-lasting community transmission clusters have been identified acting as driving force for the winter wave 2021. Analysis of the dynamic courses of two representative clusters indicated a similar transmission pattern. However, the transmission cluster caused by a locally occurring new Delta variant AY.36.1 showed a distinct transmission pattern, and functional analyses revealed a replication advantage of it. This study indicated that long-lasting community transmission clusters starting since early autumn caused by imported or locally occurring variants all contributed to the development of the 2021 winter wave. The information we achieved might help future pandemic prevention.
Item Description:Gesehen am 04.06.2025
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1469-4409
DOI:10.1017/S0950268824000761

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