Epidemic trends of SARS-CoV-2 modulated by economic activity, ethnicity, and vaccination

Abstract

The second and third waves of SARS-CoV-2 epidemic have peaked out and vaccination has begun worldwide. In this study, ecological studies comparing viral genotypes and epidemiological information revealed that the virus was attenuated in the second wave and that three new variants increased CFR in the third wave. In Russia, the infection was widespread in areas with high GDP per capita, such as sparsely populated oil field areas and densely populated metropolitan areas. In New Zealand, CFR, prevalence, and mortality were lower in Māori-rich regions, suggesting a protective effect of Polynesian genes. The vaccines transiently increased SARS-CoV-2 prevalence for several weeks, and when vaccination rates reached about 5% and 30%, respectively, CFR and mortality decreased. It is necessary to understand this prevalence trade-off that occurs in the early stage of vaccination. Analysing epidemiological data and using it effectively will be essential to reduce casualties in the process of converging SARS-CoV-2.