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Møller M, Abelsen T, Sørensen AIV, Andersson M, Hansen LF, Dilling-Hansen C, Kirkby N, Vedsted P, Mølbak K, Koch A. Exploring the dynamics of COVID-19 in a Greenlandic cohort: Mild acute illness and moderate risk of long COVID. IJID REGIONS 2024; 11:100366. [PMID: 38736712 PMCID: PMC11081797 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to explore how the Greenlandic population experienced the course of both acute and long-term COVID-19. It was motivated by the unique epidemiologic situation in Greenland, with delayed community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 relative to the rest of the world. Methods In a survey among 310 Greenlandic adults, we assessed the association between previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and overall health outcomes by administering three repeated questionnaires over 12 months after infection, with a response rate of 41% at the 12-month follow-up. The study included 128 individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from January/February 2022 and 182 test-negative controls. Participants were recruited through personal approaches, phone calls, and social media platforms. Results A total of 53.7% of 162 participants who were test-positive recovered within 4 weeks and 2.5% were hospitalized due to SARS-CoV-2. The most common symptoms were fatigue and signs of mild upper respiratory tract infection. Less than 5% reported sick leave above 2 weeks after infection. Compared with participants who were test-negative, there was an increased risk of reporting fatigue (risk differences 25.4%, 95% confidence interval 8.8-44.0) and mental exhaustion (risk differences 23.4%, 95% confidence interval 4.8-42.2) up to 12 months after a positive test. Conclusions Our results indicate that during a period dominated by the Omicron variant, Greenlanders experienced a mild acute course of COVID-19, with quick recovery, minimizing the impact on sick leave. Long COVID may be present in Greenlanders, with symptoms persisting up to 12 months after infection. However, it is important to consider the small sample size and modest response rate as limitations when interpreting the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mie Møller
- Greenland Center for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Internal Medicine, Queen Ingrid's Hospital Nuuk, Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Trine Abelsen
- Greenland Center for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Internal Medicine, Queen Ingrid's Hospital Nuuk, Nuuk, Greenland
- National Board of Health, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Anna Irene Vedel Sørensen
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikael Andersson
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lennart Friis Hansen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Nikolai Kirkby
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Clinical medicine / Public health, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
- Ilulissat Regional Hospital, Ilulissat, Greenland
| | - Kåre Mølbak
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Koch
- Greenland Center for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Internal Medicine, Queen Ingrid's Hospital Nuuk, Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Tiwari S, Petrov AN, Golosov N, Devlin M, Welford M, DeGroote J, Degai T, Ksenofontov S. Regional geographies and public health lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Arctic. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1324105. [PMID: 38259778 PMCID: PMC10801898 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1324105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study examines the COVID-19 pandemic's spatiotemporal dynamics in 52 sub-regions in eight Arctic states. This study further investigates the potential impact of early vaccination coverage on subsequent COVID-19 outcomes within these regions, potentially revealing public health insights of global significance. Methods We assessed the outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic in Arctic sub-regions using three key epidemiological variables: confirmed cases, confirmed deaths, and case fatality ratio (CFR), along with vaccination rates to evaluate the effectiveness of the early vaccination campaign on the later dynamics of COVID-19 outcomes in these regions. Results From February 2020 to February 2023, the Arctic experienced five distinct waves of COVID-19 infections and fatalities. However, most Arctic regions consistently maintained Case Fatality Ratios (CFRs) below their respective national levels throughout these waves. Further, the regression analysis indicated that the impact of initial vaccination coverage on subsequent cumulative mortality rates and Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) was inverse and statistically significant. A common trend was the delayed onset of the pandemic in the Arctic due to its remoteness. A few regions, including Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Northern Canada, Finland, and Norway, experienced isolated spikes in cases at the beginning of the pandemic with minimal or no fatalities. In contrast, Alaska, Northern Sweden, and Russia had generally high death rates, with surges in cases and fatalities. Conclusion Analyzing COVID-19 data from 52 Arctic subregions shows significant spatial and temporal variations in the pandemic's severity. Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Northern Canada, Finland, and Norway exemplify successful pandemic management models characterized by low cases and deaths. These outcomes can be attributed to successful vaccination campaigns, and proactive public health initiatives along the delayed onset of the pandemic, which reduced the impact of COVID-19, given structural and population vulnerabilities. Thus, the Arctic experience of COVID-19 informs preparedness for future pandemic-like public health emergencies in remote regions and marginalized communities worldwide that share similar contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweta Tiwari
- ARCTICenter, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, United States
- Department of Geography, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, United States
| | - Andrey N. Petrov
- ARCTICenter, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, United States
- Department of Geography, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, United States
| | - Nikolay Golosov
- Department of Geography, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Michele Devlin
- United States Army War College, Carlisle, PA, United States
| | - Mark Welford
- Department of Geography, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, United States
| | - John DeGroote
- Department of Geography, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, United States
| | - Tatiana Degai
- ARCTICenter, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, United States
- Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Stanislav Ksenofontov
- ARCTICenter, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, United States
- Department of Geography, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, United States
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