Frequency of SARS-CoV-2 infections in a health center in Comayagua, October 2021- February 2022

Abstract

The COVID-19 disease continues to represent a major challenge in public health due to outbreaks and the effects of the new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which present higher transmission rates and reduce the effectiveness of vaccines. In Honduras, the early investigation of the disease revealed risk factors for morbidity and mortality in different groups and municipalities, but, currently, an epidemiological investigation is required to help identify populations with greater vulnerability. Considering the above, our objective was to evaluate the behavior of SARS-CoV-2 infections by contrasting demographic parameters in the "José María Ochoa" Integral Health Center in the municipality of Comayagua, Honduras, between October 2021 and February 2022, through the use of rapid tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigens (Panbio™). We found an overall frequency of cases of 23.4%. Age was associated with greater positivity (p < 0.001), registering a higher percentage of COVID-19 cases in people 61 years of age or older (30.3%), followed by individuals between 31 and 60 years of age. (28.2%), while sex did not show a statistically significant association. Likewise, a difference was evident in the dynamics of infection detection between the months analyzed, with a progressive decrease in cases in the last three months of 2021 and a marked increase in positivity in January and February 2022 (p < 0.0001). Our results suggest a seasonal behavior with a greater impact on the elderly population, relevant epidemiological information for decision-makers in public health to implement the necessary interventions in seasons where outbreaks or peaks of the disease are expected.