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Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Italy (ISS Report n. 29 and February 7th 2023 ISS Flash Survey)

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in Italy, according to the 29th genomic surveillance Report and the Flash Survey of February 7th 2023 by ISS (data published by ISS on February 17th and March 3rd 2023)

Published: 28 March 2023

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 SARS-CoV-2 variants 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 (February 7th 2023). Data from the previous report (January 10th 2023) are also included for the sake of comparison.
Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Italy (ISS Report n. 29 and February 7th 2023 ISS Flash Survey)
The table reports the prevalence of the Omicron (B.1.1.529, derivative lineages and 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 considered 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 (January 10th 2023) are included.

According to data collected during the February 7th 2023 Flash Survey by ISS, the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529, its derivative lineages and recombinant lineages) is the most prevalent variant in Italy with a National prevalence of 99,9%.
The BA.5 sublineage is the most widespread Omicron sublineage. However, its prevalence in Italy decreased from 86,3% on January 10th to 66,1% on February 7th 2023 and varies between 40,0% and 100,0% in the Regions/PPAA included in the Survey. Accordingly, a decrease (from 65,0% to 56,7%) in the prevalence of the BQ.1.n sublineages of BA.5 is also observed. Among these BQ.1.1 is the most prevalent (24,4%).
The prevalence of the BA.2 sublineage is further increased from 9,8% in the previous update to 13,0% on February 7th. A similar trend is observed also for the circulation of the CH.1.1 lineage (derivative of BA.2.75) which, according to Report n. 29, equals to 4,93% (increased with respect to 2,25% of the previous update).
Finally, a substantial increase in the spread of Omicron/Omicron recombinants is observed (from 3,6% to 20,7%). In particular, the prevalence of XBB.1.5 (a recombinant of BJ.1 and BA.2.75 with an additional F486P Spike mutation) increased to 10,88% (starting from 1,08% in the previous update, Report n. 29).

Please refer to the report 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)