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RT-PCR testing data provides opportunities to explore regional and individual determinants of test positivity and surveillance infrastructure. Using Generalized Additive Models, we explored 222,515 tests of a random sample of individuals with COVID-19 compatible symptoms in the Brazilian state of Bahia during 2020. We found that age and male gender were the most significant determinants of test positivity. There was evidence of an unequal impact among socio-demographic strata, with higher positivity among those living in areas with low education levels during the first epidemic wave, followed by those living in areas with higher education levels in the second wave. Our estimated probability of testing positive after symptom onset corroborates previous reports that the probability decreases with time, more than halving by about two weeks and converging to zero by three weeks. Test positivity rates generally followed state-level reported cases, and while a single laboratory performed ~90% of tests covering ~99% of the state's area, test turn-around time generally remained below four days. This testing effort is a testimony to the Bahian surveillance capacity during public health emergencies, as previously witnessed during the recent Zika and Yellow Fever outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tracking the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern is crucial to inform public health efforts and control the ongoing pandemic. Here, we report genetic evidence for circulation of the P.1 variant in Northeast Brazil. We advocate for increased active surveillance to ensure adequate control of this variant throughout the country. Author summary: In recent months' variants of SARS-CoV-2 that have more mutations on the Spike protein has brought concern all over the world. These have been called 'variants of concern' (VOC) as it has been suggested that their genome mutations might impact transmission, immune control, and virulence. The P.1 variant, also known as 20J/501Y.V3, was first identified in travelers from Brazil during routine airport screening in Tokyo, Japan, in early January 2021. This VOC has 17 amino acid changes, ten of which are in its spike protein, including three designated to be of particular concern: N501Y, E484K and K417T. Since its first detection, despite it has presented sustained transmission worldwide, much is still unknown about its circulation into Brazilian regions. Here, through an active monitoring conducted by public health authorities of the Bahia state (Northeast Brazil), we report genetic evidence for circulation of the P.1 variant into the state. Our findings reinforce that continued genomic surveillance strategies are needed to assist in the monitoring and understanding of the circulating and co-circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, which might help to attenuate their public health impact worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The name Pedro Henrique Presta Dia should be listed as Pedro Henrique Presta Dias. Reference 1 Tosta S, Giovanetti M, Brandão Nardy V, Reboredo de Oliveira da Silva L, Kelly Astete Gómez M, Gomes Lima J, et al. (2021) Short Report: Early genomic detection of SARS-CoV-2 P.1 variant in Northeast Brazil. [Extracted from the article]