Sero-Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in High-Risk Populations in Vietnam
Type
PreprintAuthor/s
Hasan, TasnimPham, Thach Ngoc
Anh, Nguyen Thu
Le, Hien Thi Thu
Van Le, Duyet
Dang, Thuy Thi
Van, Trang Dinh
Pham, Yen Ngoc
Nguyen, Ha Viet
Tran, Giang Linh
Van Thi Cam Nguyen
Nguyen, Thanh Trung
Truong, Viet Quang
Dao, Than Huu
Le, Chung Thanh
Truong, Nam Tan
Vo, Hoang Trung
Le, Phuc Thanh
Nguyen, Thao Thanh
Van Luu, Vinh
Nguyen, Vinh Dai
Toelle, Brett
Marks, Guy B.
Fox, Gregory J.
Abstract
Background: As a response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Vietnam enforced strict quarantine, contact tracing and physical distancing policies. By December 2020, this strategy resulted in one of the lowest numbers of individuals infected with severe acute ...
See moreBackground: As a response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Vietnam enforced strict quarantine, contact tracing and physical distancing policies. By December 2020, this strategy resulted in one of the lowest numbers of individuals infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) cases globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity among high-risk populations in Vietnam.Methods: A prevalence survey was undertaken within four communities in northern and central Vietnam, where at least two COVID-19 cases had been confirmed. Participants were classified according to the location of exposure: household contacts, close contacts, community members, and healthcare workers (HCWs) responsible for treating COVID-19 cases. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire that evaluated exposure history. SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were quantified using a commercially available assay.Results: 3056 community members and 149 health care workers provided consent to participate. Among enrolled community members, 27 (0·9%) were household contacts and 53 (1·7%) were close contacts. Serology was performed in 3034 individuals. Among 13 individuals who were seropositive (0·4%), five household contacts (5/27, 18·5%), one close contact (1/53, 1·9%), and seven community members (7/2954, 0·2%) had detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. All HCWs were negative for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Participants were tested a median of 15·1 (interquartile range 14·9 to 15·2) weeks after exposure.Conclusion: The presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in high-risk communities and healthcare workers was low in communities in Vietnam with known COVID-19 cases. The public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam has been effective in limiting community transmission of SARS-CoV-2.Funding Statement: This project was supported by a grant funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, awarded in conjunction with the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (APP1153346).Declaration of Interests: None declared.Ethics Approval Statement: Ethical approval was obtained from the Human Research Ethics Committees of the University of Sydney (HREC 2020/415) and Biomedical Research Ethics Committee of the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases (No. 10/HDDD-NDTU and No. 18/HDDD-NDTU). Consent was documented electronically using a tablet computer. In accordance with local expectations, all COVID-19 patients and other participants were provided with monetary compensation for their participation, equivalent to approximately US$4·30 and US$2·20, respectively.
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See moreBackground: As a response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Vietnam enforced strict quarantine, contact tracing and physical distancing policies. By December 2020, this strategy resulted in one of the lowest numbers of individuals infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) cases globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity among high-risk populations in Vietnam.Methods: A prevalence survey was undertaken within four communities in northern and central Vietnam, where at least two COVID-19 cases had been confirmed. Participants were classified according to the location of exposure: household contacts, close contacts, community members, and healthcare workers (HCWs) responsible for treating COVID-19 cases. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire that evaluated exposure history. SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were quantified using a commercially available assay.Results: 3056 community members and 149 health care workers provided consent to participate. Among enrolled community members, 27 (0·9%) were household contacts and 53 (1·7%) were close contacts. Serology was performed in 3034 individuals. Among 13 individuals who were seropositive (0·4%), five household contacts (5/27, 18·5%), one close contact (1/53, 1·9%), and seven community members (7/2954, 0·2%) had detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. All HCWs were negative for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Participants were tested a median of 15·1 (interquartile range 14·9 to 15·2) weeks after exposure.Conclusion: The presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in high-risk communities and healthcare workers was low in communities in Vietnam with known COVID-19 cases. The public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam has been effective in limiting community transmission of SARS-CoV-2.Funding Statement: This project was supported by a grant funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, awarded in conjunction with the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (APP1153346).Declaration of Interests: None declared.Ethics Approval Statement: Ethical approval was obtained from the Human Research Ethics Committees of the University of Sydney (HREC 2020/415) and Biomedical Research Ethics Committee of the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases (No. 10/HDDD-NDTU and No. 18/HDDD-NDTU). Consent was documented electronically using a tablet computer. In accordance with local expectations, all COVID-19 patients and other participants were provided with monetary compensation for their participation, equivalent to approximately US$4·30 and US$2·20, respectively.
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Date
2021Share