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Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Italy (ISS Report n. 22-23 and July 5th and August 2nd 2022 ISS Flash Surveys)

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in Italy (according to the 22nd and 23rd ISS genomic surveillance reports and the ISS Flash Surveys of July 5th and August 2nd 2022)

Published: 23 September 2022


The I-Co-Gen platform by the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) is the most up to date system for the collection and analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing data in Italy. By periodic analysis of the data processed through I-Co-Gen, the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), in collaboration with the Bruno Kessler Foundation and with the Italian Ministry of Health, the Regional administrations and the Autonomous Provinces (PPAA), have undertaken a coordinated effort to monitor the spread of variants of SARS-CoV-2 in Italy. Data are released periodically in the form of brief reports (further details here, Italian only).
This highlight provides a brief overview of the main results from the most recent reports (data from July 5th and August 2nd 2022). Data from the previous report (data from June 7th 2022) are also included for the sake of comparison.
Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Italy (ISS Report n. 22-23 and July 5th and August 2nd 2022 ISS Flash Surveys)
The table reports the prevalence of the Omicron (B.1.1.529, derivative lineages BA.n and BA.1/BA.2 recombinant lineages) Variant of Concern (VOC) of SARS-CoV-2 in Italy. Additional information concerning the nomenclature and genomic features of these variants can be found here, in a paper by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Prevalence data are aggregated by Region/Autonomous Province, the total number of genome sequences included in the analysis is reported as well. Cumulative data are also reported to present an overview of the current situation in Italy.
Matched data from the previous report (June 7th 2022) are included.

According to data collected during the Flash Surveys performed by ISS on July 5th and August 2nd 2022, the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529, its derivative lineages BA.n and BA.1/BA.2 recombinant lineages) is the only variant of SARS-CoV-2 currently circulating in Italy with an estimated prevalence of 100% at National level. Despite this, the prevalence of Omicron sublineages presents a more variable pattern. The prevalence of BA.2 dropped dramatically, decreasing from 62,98% (June 7th), to 10,32% (July 5th) and finally reaching 1,43% according to the most recent update (August 2nd). At the same time, the prevalence of BA.5 shows an opposite trend and increased from 23,15% on June 7th, to 75,53% (July 5th), reaching an estimated value of 90,79% on August 2nd. Finally, BA.4 shows a peculiar situation as its prevalence first increased between June 7th and July 5th (from 11,41% to 13,22%) and then decreased to 6,66% on August 2nd.

Please refer to the reports as provided on the ISS website at the following links (italian only) for a complete reference:

The previous report is available at the following link (italian only):

Source: ISS (prevalence data)