Transmissibility of the variant of concern for SARS-CoV-2 in six regions
Hongjie Wei,
Yunkang Zhao,
Jia Rui,
Kangguo Li,
Buasiyamu Abudunaibi,
Zeyu Zhao,
Wentao Song,
Yao Wang,
Qiuping Chen,
Hong Liu,
Shuo Zhang,
Xiaojun Li,
Kaiwei Luo,
Laurent Gavotte,
Roger Frutos,
Tianmu Chen
Affiliations
Hongjie Wei
State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
Yunkang Zhao
State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
Jia Rui
State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China; CIRAD, Intertryp, Montpellier, France; Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
Kangguo Li
State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
Buasiyamu Abudunaibi
State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
Zeyu Zhao
State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
Wentao Song
State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
Yao Wang
State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
Qiuping Chen
State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China; CIRAD, Intertryp, Montpellier, France; Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
Hong Liu
State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
Shuo Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
Xiaojun Li
Hunan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China
Kaiwei Luo
Hunan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China
Laurent Gavotte
Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Corresponding author.
State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China; Corresponding author.
Introduction: Differences in transmissibility of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) in different districts are hard to assess. To address this, our study focused on calculating the Real-time reproduction number (Rt) for these variants in different regions. Methods: According to the criteria defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), the global landscape was categorized into six distinct regions. In each region, the predominant SARS-CoV-2 variant was first identified based on the proportion of variant sequencing analysis results. Then, using serial interval (SI) parameters, we calculated Rt for the relevant Variant of Concern (VOC) in each region. This approach enabled us to compare the Rt values of the same variant across different regions and analyze the transmissibility of each region's variant in relation to the overall situation in that region. Results: The progression of VOC for SARS-CoV-2 shows regional variations. However, a common sequence of evolution is observed: Wild-type → Alpha → Beta → Delta → Omicron. Moreover, an increasing trend is discerned within diverse regions where the shift in Rt of distinct VOC corresponds with the overarching Rt route of SARS-CoV-2 in specific regions. Conclusion: As the COVID-19 pandemic advances, regional epidemiological trends are aligning, likely due to similar virus mutations and shared public health strategies, suggesting opportunities for standardized global responses.
