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Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Italy (ISS Report n. 24 and September 6th 2022 ISS Flash Survey)

Prevalence of variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2 in Italy, according to the 24th ISS genomic surveillance report and the ISS Flash Survey of September 6th 2022.

Published: 24 October 2022

The I-Co-Gen platform by the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) is the reference point 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 report (data from September 6th 2022). Data from previous reports (data from July 5th and August 2nd 2022) are also included for the sake of comparison.
Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Italy (ISS Report n. 24 and September 6th 2022 ISS Flash Survey)
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 this and other variants can be found here, in a paper by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Data are aggregated by Region/Autonomous Province and 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 previous reports (July 5th and August 2nd 2022) are included.

Data collected during the Flash Survey performed by ISS on September 6th confirm that 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. Among the sublineages of Omicron the most prevalent is BA.5. The prevalence of BA.5 increased from the 90,79% of the previous update (genomic data from August 2nd 2022) to 94,41% on September 2nd. Moreover, BA.5 presents a prevalence higher than 84,0% in all the Regions/PPAA for which data are available in the September Flash Survey. On the contrary, BA.4 registered a further decrease of its prevalence which is estimated at 4,41%.

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

The previous reports are available at the following links (italian only):

Source: ISS (prevalence data)