Summary Since the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, various genetic variants have been described. The B.1.1.7 variant, which emerged in England during December 2020, is associated with increased infectivity. Therefore, its pattern of spread is of great importance. The Israeli government established three national programs: massive RT-PCR testing, focused surveillance in nursing homes, and robust prioritized vaccination with BNT162b2. To define the impact of the aforementioned programs, we analyze data from ∼300,000 RT-PCR samples collected from December 6, 2020, to February 10, 2021. We reveal that the B.1.1.7 is 45% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 20%–60%) more transmissible than the wild-type strain and has become the dominant strain in Israel within 3.5 weeks. Despite the rapid increase in viral spread, focused RT-PCR testing and prioritized vaccination programs are capable of preventing the spread of the B.1.1.7 variant in the elderly. Therefore, proactive surveillance programs, combined with prioritized vaccination, are achievable and can reduce severe illness and subsequent death. Graphical abstract Highlights The B.1.1.7 variant is 45% more transmissible than the wild-type strain in Israel Active surveillance markedly reduces the transmission of B.1.1.7 in nursing homes Prioritized vaccination prevents B.1.1.7-associated infections in the elderly Proactive surveillance, combined with prioritized vaccination, is achievable Munitz et al. demonstrate that, despite a 45% increased transmission of the B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 variant, the Israeli vaccination program curtails its spread in elderly populations. Furthermore, pro-active surveillance programs likely enable the containment of viral spread in nursing homes. Thus, combined programs are achievable, reduce severe illness, and subsequent death.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, viral infection, Vaccine, vaccination, variant, Transmission, BNT162b2, Surveillance, B.1.1.7, 【초록키워드】 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, Infection, RT-PCR, viral spread, BNT162b2, Spread, B.1.1.7 variant, Viral, B.1.1.7, death, Active surveillance, Genetic variant, nursing homes, England, Containment, type strain, Government, Abstract, RT-PCR testing, 95% confidence interval, wild-type strain, rapid increase, National, dominant, B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 variant, populations, Prevent, robust, described, collected, subsequent, reduce, in viral spread, curtail, The B.1.1.7, the SARS-CoV-2, 【제목키워드】 SARS-CoV-2 variant, high-risk population, Prevent,