Differences in the case fatality risks associated with SARS-CoV-2 Delta and non-Delta variants in relation to vaccine coverage: An early ecological study in the United Kingdom
Shi Zhao, Jingzhi Lou, Lirong Cao, Ka Chun Chong, Benny Zee, Paul K.S. Chan, Maggie Haitian Wang
Abstract
The circulation of SARS-CoV-2 Delta (i.e., B.1.617.2) variants challenges the pandemic control. Our analysis showed that in the United Kingdom (UK), the reported case fatality ratio (CFR) decreased from May to July 2021 for non-Delta variant, whereas the decreasing trends of the CFR of Delta variant appeared weak and insignificant. The association between vaccine coverage and CFR might be stratified by different circulating variants. Due to the limitation of ecological study design, the interpretation of our results should be treated with caution.
Topics & Concepts
DeltaCase fatality ratePandemicDemographyCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)EcologyMedicineGeographyEnvironmental healthBiologyInternal medicineDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)EngineeringSociologyAerospace engineeringPopulationSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchCOVID-19 epidemiological studiesVaccine Coverage and Hesitancy