SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Death Rates Among Maintenance Dialysis Patients During Delta and Early Omicron Waves — United States, June 30, 2021–September 27, 2022
José E. Navarrete, Gregory Barone, Iram Qureshi, Austin Woods, Kira Barbre, Lu Meng, Shannon Novosad, Qunna Li, Minn Soe, Jonathan R. Edwards, Emily Wong, Hannah E. Reses, Sydney Guthrie, John Keenan, Leticia A. Lamping, Meeyoung Park, Sorie Dumbuya, Andrea L. Benin, Jeneita M. Bell
Abstract
Persons receiving maintenance dialysis are at increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and its severe outcomes, including death. However, rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-related deaths in this population are not well described. Since November 2020, CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) has collected weekly data monitoring incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections (defined as a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result) and COVID-19-related deaths (defined as the death of a patient who had not fully recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection) among maintenance dialysis patients. This analysis used NHSN dialysis facility COVID-19 data reported during June 30, 2021-September 27, 2022, to describe rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-related death among maintenance dialysis patients. The overall infection rate was 30.47 per 10,000 patient-weeks (39.64 among unvaccinated patients and 27.24 among patients who had completed a primary COVID-19 vaccination series). The overall death rate was 1.74 per 10,000 patient-weeks. Implementing recommended infection control measures in dialysis facilities and ensuring patients and staff members are up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccination is critical to limiting COVID-19-associated morbidity and mortality.