Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

April 13, 2021

Changes in Symptomatology, Reinfection, and Transmissibility Associated with the SARS-CoV-2 Variant B.1.1.7: An Ecological Study

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  • B.1.1.7 infections likely cause similar symptoms compared to pre-existing variants, according to an analysis of data from the COVID-19 Symptom Study app users obtained during a period when the B.1.1.7 variant was surging in the UK (September to December 2020). Participants reported no change in symptoms or disease duration. Only 0.7% of reports  indicated possible reinfection (two positive tests separated by more than 90 days), suggesting that B.1.1.7 reinfections occurred with similar frequency compared to pre-existing variants. Reinfection occurrence also had stronger correlation with an overall regional rise in cases than with a regional increase in the proportion of B.1.1.7 infections as estimated by proportion of tests with Spike-Gene Target Failure. The authors also estimate that although Rt associated with B.1.1.7 was 1.4-times higher than pre-existing variants, B.1.1.7 Rt was reduced below 1 by lockdown measures even in regions with high proportions of B.1.1.7 infections.

Graham et al. (Apr 12, 2021). Changes in Symptomatology, Reinfection, and Transmissibility Associated with the SARS-CoV-2 Variant B.1.1.7: An Ecological Study. The Lancet Public Health. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(21)00055-4/fulltext