Length of hospital stay and risk of intensive care admission and in-hospital death among COVID-19 patients in Norway: a register-based cohort study comparing patients fully vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine to unvaccinated patients

Objectives We estimated the length of stay (LoS) in hospital and the intensive care unit (ICU) and risk of admission to ICU and in-hospital death among COVID-19 patients ≥18 years in Norway who had been fully vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine (at least two doses or one dose and previous SARS-CoV-2 infection), compared to unvaccinated patients. Methods Using national registry data, we analyzed SARS-CoV-2–positive patients hospitalized in Norway between 1 February and 30 November 2021, with COVID-19 as the main cause of hospitalization. We ran Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for vaccination status, age, sex, county of residence, regional health authority, date of admission, country of birth, virus variant, and underlying risk factors. Results We included 716 fully vaccinated patients (crude overall median LoS: 5.2 days; admitted to ICU: 103 (14%); in-hospital death: 86 (13%)) and 2487 unvaccinated patients (crude overall median LoS: 5.0 days; admitted to ICU: 480 (19%); in-hospital death: 102 (4%)). In adjusted models, fully vaccinated patients had a shorter overall LoS in hospital (adjusted log hazard ratios (aHR) for discharge: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.24–2.08), shorter LoS without ICU (aHR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.07–1.52), and lower risk of ICU admission (aHR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.37–0.69) compared to unvaccinated patients. We observed no difference in the LoS in ICU or in risk of in-hospital death between fully vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. Discussion Fully vaccinated patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Norway have a shorter LoS and lower risk of ICU admission than unvaccinated patients. These findings can support patient management and ongoing capacity planning in hospitals.publishedVersio

La vigilancia de la rubeola congénita: epidemiología, clínica, diagnóstico y características maternas de los recién nacidos con síndrome de rubeola congénita, España 1997-2016

[ES] Con una población altamente inmunizada, la infección por rubeola es tan baja que la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) ha declarado su eliminación en España. La rubeola en gestantes también es muy rara. Nuestro objetivo es describir los últimos casos de síndrome de rubeola congénita (SRC) notificados y recomendar acciones para mantener la eliminación. Se estudiaron los SRC notificados a la Red Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológica (RENAVE) entre 1997 y 2016. Se describen la epidemiología, la clínica, el diagnóstico y las características maternas de los recién nacidos con SRC. Se calculó la incidencia de SRC utilizando la Estadística de Nacimientos del Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE). Se notificaron 23 casos de SRC, el 70% asociado a brotes de rubeola. La clínica más común fue enfermedad cardiaca (52,2%), sordera (39,1%) y cataratas (30,4%); el 91,3% de casos se confirmaron por laboratorio. El 70,0% nacieron de madre extranjera no vacunada, residente en España (incidencia acumulada (IA): 1,1/100.000 nacimientos), procedente de África (36,0%), Latinoamérica (29,0%), Europa del Este (21,0%) y Asia (14,0%). Seis nacieron de madre española (IA: 0,08/100.000 nacimientos), los dos últimos en 2005. La mayoría de SRC nacieron de mujeres inmigrantes no vacunadas contagiadas en España durante un brote de rubeola. La vacunación universal en la infancia es la estrategia más eficiente para prevenir la rubeola. La escasa circulación del virus conducirá rápidamente a la pérdida de conciencia sobre la rubeola entre clínicos y epidemiólogos. Hay que mantener protocolos capaces de identificar signos compatibles con rubeola en gestantes y signos sugestivos de rubeola congénita en recién nacidos. [EN] With a highly immunized population, rubella infection is so low that WHO has declared the elimination of rubella in Spain. Rubella in pregnant women is also very rare. The objective of this study is to describe the last reported cases of congenital rubella syndrome and recommend actions to maintain the elimination status. The CRS reported to the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network between 1997 and 2016 were studied. The epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and maternal characteristics of newborns with CRS were described. The incidence of CRS was calculated using the Birth Statistics of the INE. Twenty-three cases of CRS were reported, 70% associated with outbreaks of rubella. The most common clinical conditions were heart disease (52.2%), deafness (39.1%) and cataracts (30.4%); 91.3% of cases were confirmed by laboratory. 70.0% were born from a non-vaccinated foreign mother, resident in Spain (cumulative incidence (AI): 1.1/100,000 births), coming from Africa (36.0%), Latin America (29.0%), Europe from East (21.0%) and Asia (14.0%). Six were born to a Spanish mother (AI: 0.08/100,000 births), the last two cases in 2005. The majority of SRC were born to unvaccinated immigrant women infected in Spain during a rubella outbreak. Universal vaccination in childhood is the most efficient strategy to prevent rubella. The limited circulation of the virus will quickly lead to the loss of awareness about rubella among clinicians and epidemiologists. It is necessary to maintain protocols capable of identifying signs compatible with rubella in pregnant women and signs suggestive of congenital rubella in newborns

Surveillance of congenital rubella: Epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis and maternal characteristics of newborns with congenital rubella syndrome, Spain 1998-2016

[ES] Con una población altamente inmunizada, la infección por rubeola es tan baja que la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) ha declarado su eliminación en España. La rubeola en gestantes también es muy rara. Nuestro objetivo es describir los últimos casos de síndrome de rubeola congénita (SRC) notificados y recomendar acciones para mantener la eliminación. Se estudiaron los SRC notificados a la Red Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológica (RENAVE) entre 1997 y 2016. Se describen la epidemiología, la clínica, el diagnóstico y las características maternas de los recién nacidos con SRC. Se calculó la incidencia de SRC utilizando la Estadística de Nacimientos del Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE). Se notificaron 23 casos de SRC, el 70% asociado a brotes de rubeola. La clínica más común fue enfermedad cardiaca (52,2%), sordera (39,1%) y cataratas (30,4%); el 91,3% de casos se confirmaron por laboratorio. El 70,0% nacieron de madre extranjera no vacunada, residente en España (incidencia acumulada (IA): 1,1/100.000 nacimientos), procedente de África (36,0%), Latinoamérica (29,0%), Europa del Este (21,0%) y Asia (14,0%). Seis nacieron de madre española (IA: 0,08/100.000 nacimientos), los dos últimos en 2005. La mayoría de SRC nacieron de mujeres inmigrantes no vacunadas contagiadas en España durante un brote de rubeola. La vacunación universal en la infancia es la estrategia más eficiente para prevenir la rubeola. La escasa circulación del virus conducirá rápidamente a la pérdida de conciencia sobre la rubeola entre clínicos y epidemiólogos. Hay que mantener protocolos capaces de identificar signos compatibles con rubeola en gestantes y signos sugestivos de rubeola congénita en recién nacidos. [EN] With a highly immunized population, rubella infection is so low that WHO has declared the elimination of rubella in Spain. Rubella in pregnant women is also very rare. The objective of this study is to describe the last reported cases of congenital rubella syndrome and recommend actions to maintain the elimination status. The CRS reported to the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network between 1997 and 2016 were studied. The epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and maternal characteristics of newborns with CRS were described. The incidence of CRS was calculated using the Birth Statistics of the INE. Twenty-three cases of CRS were reported, 70% associated with outbreaks of rubella. The most common clinical conditions were heart disease (52.2%), deafness (39.1%) and cataracts (30.4%); 91.3% of cases were confirmed by laboratory. 70.0% were born from a non-vaccinated foreign mother, resident in Spain (cumulative incidence (AI): 1.1/100,000 births), coming from Africa (36.0%), Latin America (29.0%), Europe from East (21.0%) and Asia (14.0%). Six were born to a Spanish mother (AI: 0.08/100,000 births), the last two cases in 2005. The majority of SRC were born to unvaccinated immigrant women infected in Spain during a rubella outbreak. Universal vaccination in childhood is the most efficient strategy to prevent rubella. The limited circulation of the virus will quickly lead to the loss of awareness about rubella among clinicians and epidemiologists. It is necessary to maintain protocols capable of identifying signs compatible with rubella in pregnant women and signs suggestive of congenital rubella in newborns.N

No difference in risk of hospitalization between reported cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant and Alpha variant in Norway

Objectives To estimate the risk of hospitalization among reported cases of the Delta variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) compared with the Alpha variant in Norway, and the risk of hospitalization by vaccination status. Methods A cohort study was conducted on laboratory-confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 in Norway, diagnosed between 3 May and 15 August 2021. Adjusted risk ratios (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using multi-variable log-binomial regression, accounting for variant, vaccination status, demographic characteristics, week of sampling and underlying comorbidities. Results In total, 7977 cases of the Delta variant and 12,078 cases of the Alpha variant were included in this study. Overall, 347 (1.7%) cases were hospitalized. The aRR of hospitalization for the Delta variant compared with the Alpha variant was 0.97 (95% CI 0.76–1.23). Partially vaccinated cases had a 72% reduced risk of hospitalization (95% CI 59–82%), and fully vaccinated cases had a 76% reduced risk of hospitalization (95% CI 61–85%) compared with unvaccinated cases. Conclusions No difference was found between the risk of hospitalization for Delta cases and Alpha cases in Norway. The results of this study support the notion that partially and fully vaccinated cases are highly protected against hospitalization with coronavirus disease 2019.publishedVersio

Reduced risk of hospitalisation among reported COVID-19 cases infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 variant compared with the Delta variant, Norway, December 2021 to January 2022

We included 39,524 COVID-19 Omicron and 51,481 Delta cases reported in Norway from December 2021 to January 2022. We estimated a 73% reduced risk of hospitalisation (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.27; 95% confidence interval: 0.20–0.36) for Omicron compared with Delta. Compared with unvaccinated groups, Omicron cases who had completed primary two-dose vaccination 7–179 days before diagnosis had a lower reduced risk than Delta (66% vs 93%). People vaccinated with three doses had a similar risk reduction (86% vs 88%).publishedVersio

Increased risk of hospitalisation and intensive care admission associated with reported cases of SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 in Norway, December 2020-May 2021

Introduction Since their emergence, SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 have spread worldwide. We estimated the risk of hospitalisation and admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) for infections with B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 in Norway, compared to infections with non-VOC. Materials and methods Using linked individual-level data from national registries, we conducted a cohort study on laboratory-confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 in Norway diagnosed between 28 December 2020 and 2 May 2021. Variants were identified based on whole genome sequencing, partial sequencing by Sanger sequencing or PCR screening for selected targets. The outcome was hospitalisation or ICU admission. We calculated adjusted risk ratios (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using multivariable binomial regression to examine the association between SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 with i) hospital admission and ii) ICU admission compared to non-VOC. Results We included 23,169 cases of B.1.1.7, 548 B.1.351 and 4,584 non-VOC. Overall, 1,017 cases were hospitalised (3.6%) and 206 admitted to ICU (0.7%). B.1.1.7 was associated with a 1.9-fold increased risk of hospitalisation (aRR 95%CI 1.6–2.3) and a 1.8-fold increased risk of ICU admission (aRR 95%CI 1.2–2.8) compared to non-VOC. Among hospitalised cases, no difference was found in the risk of ICU admission between B.1.1.7 and non-VOC. B.1.351 was associated with a 2.4-fold increased risk of hospitalisation (aRR 95%CI 1.7–3.3) and a 2.7-fold increased risk of ICU admission (aRR 95%CI 1.2–6.5) compared to non-VOC. Discussion Our findings add to the growing evidence of a higher risk of severe disease among persons infected with B.1.1.7 or B.1.351. This highlights the importance of prevention and control measures to reduce transmission of these VOC in society, particularly ongoing vaccination programmes, and preparedness plans for hospital surge capacity.publishedVersio

Last cases of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome in Spain, 1997–2016 : The success of a vaccination program

With a highly immunized population, rubella infection in Spain is so low that the WHO has declared the elimination of rubella. Rubella in pregnant women is also very rare. The objective of this study is to describe the last cases of congenital rubella syndrome reported and recommend actions to maintain the status of the disease as eliminated. The CRS cases reported to the Spanish National Epidemiological Surveillance Network between 1997 and 2016 were studied, and the epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and maternal characteristics of newborns with CRS described. The incidence of CRS was calculated using Birth Statistics from the Spanish National Statistics Agency (INE). Twenty-three cases of CRS were reported, 70% of which were associated with rubella outbreaks. The most common clinical conditions were heart disease (52.2%), deafness (39.1%) and cataracts (30.4%); 91.3% of cases were confirmed by laboratory testing. 70.0% were born from a non-vaccinated foreign mother, resident in Spain (cumulative rate incidence (CR): 1.1/100,000 births), with mothers coming from Africa (36.0%), Latin America (29.0%), Eastern Europe (21.0%) and Asia (14.0%). Six were born to Spanish mothers (CR: 0.08/ 100,000 births), the last of which were in 2005. The majority of CRS cases were born to unvaccinated immigrant women infected in Spain during rubella outbreaks. Universal vaccination in childhood is the most efficient strategy to prevent rubella. The limited circulation of the virus will, however, quickly lead to a loss of awareness about rubella among clinicians and epidemiologists. It is necessary to maintain protocols capable of identifying signs consistent with rubella in pregnant women and signs suggestive of congenital rubella in newborns.This work is the result of the stay that Elina M. Seppälä, a student at the University of Tampere (Finland) and granted an Erasmus + scholarship, held at the National Epidemiology Centre (ISCIII) between February and April 201