AUTHOR=Chen Jingrou , Wang Yang , Yu Hongwei , Wang Ruizhi , Yu Xuegao , Huang Hao , Ai Lu , Zhang Tianruo , Huang Bin , Liu Min , Ding Tao , Luo Yifeng , Chen Peisong TITLE=Epidemiological and laboratory characteristics of Omicron infection in a general hospital in Guangzhou: a retrospective study JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health VOLUME=11 YEAR=2023 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1289668 DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2023.1289668 ISSN=2296-2565 ABSTRACT=
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as a major global public health concern. In November 2022, Guangzhou experienced a significant outbreak of Omicron. This study presents detailed epidemiological and laboratory data on Omicron infection in a general hospital in Guangzhou between December 1, 2022, and January 31, 2023. Out of the 55,296 individuals tested, 12,346 were found to be positive for Omicron. The highest prevalence of positive cases was observed in the 20 to 39 age group (24.6%), while the lowest was in children aged 0 to 9 years (1.42%). Females had a higher incidence of infection than males, accounting for 56.6% of cases. The peak time of Omicron infection varied across different populations. The viral load was higher in older adults and children infected with Omicron, indicating age-related differences. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis revealed positive correlations between Ct values and laboratory parameters in hospitalized patients with Omicron infection. These parameters included CRP (