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First wave of COVID-19 did not reach the homeless population in Aarhus
Signe Freja Storgaard1, Andreas Halgreen Eiset, Farhiya Abdullahi
1sist@ph.au.dk.
Insights
Vulnerable populations in Aarhus showed no COVID-19 infection on testing days, with very few individuals possessing antibodies. This study assessed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection rates in this at-risk group.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affects vulnerable populations due to factors like lower health literacy.
- Homeless and at-risk individuals may face increased exposure and mortality risks from COVID-19.
- This study focused on assessing COVID-19 infection within Aarhus's vulnerable population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prevalence of COVID-19 infection in a vulnerable population in Aarhus.
- To determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in this demographic.
- To understand the infection status of at-risk individuals during the pandemic.
Main Methods:
- Oropharyngeal swab tests were conducted in April and June using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
- Lateral flow tests for immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM antibodies were administered in June.
- Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for infection and antibody status.
Main Results:
- All oropharyngeal swab tests for COVID-19 were negative across both testing periods.
- A low prevalence of IgM (4.7%) and IgG (less than 3.9%) antibodies was detected in June.
- A significant percentage of participants reported COVID-19 symptoms, but active infection was not confirmed by swabs.
Conclusions:
- The vulnerable population in Aarhus did not exhibit active COVID-19 infection on the days of testing.
- Antibody presence was minimal, suggesting limited prior exposure or infection in this group.
- The findings indicate a lower-than-expected infection rate among tested vulnerable citizens in Aarhus.
Introduction:
The deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly become a pandemic affecting the whole world. Lower health literacy and higher mortality rates in the homeless and vulnerable population compared with the background population potentially leaves this group or people more exposed to COVID-19. This study assessed the vulnerable population of Aarhus in relation to COVID-19 infection.
Methods:
Participants were tested during a six-day period in April and a four-day period in June at drop-in centres, injection rooms and homeless shelters in Aarhus. Oropharyngeal swab tests were performed and analysed with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Test days in June were supplemented with lateral flow tests for immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM. Prevalence and corresponding Wilson 95% confidence intervals were computed.
Results:
We tested 295 individuals in April and 141 individuals in June. All oropharyngeal swabs were COVID-19 negative. The lateral flow tests were IgM-positive in six of 129 individuals (4.7%) and IgG-positive less than five of 129 (less than 3.9%) individuals. On the day of testing, COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, coughing and/or sore throat were found in 63 of 240 (26.3%) of the participants in April and in 26 of 123 (21.1%) in June. In the April testing round, 175 of 291 (59.9%) reported to be born in Denmark. The corresponding number for the June testing round was 84 of 138 (60.9%).
Conclusions:
Despite their vulnerable profile, the vulnerable citizens tested in Aarhus were not infected with COVID-19 at the testing day and very few participants carried antibodies.
Funding:
Testing was funded by Aarhus University Hospital.
Trial Registration:
not relevant.
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