TY - JOUR AU - Ruff, Jeanne AU - Zhang, Ying AU - Kappel, Matthew AU - Rathi, Sfurti AU - Watkins, Kellie AU - Zhang, Lei AU - Lockett, Cassius T1 - Rapid Increase in Suspected SARS-CoV-2 Reinfections, Clark County, Nevada, USA, December 2021 T2 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal PY - 2022 VL - 28 IS - 10 SP - 1977 SN - 1080-6059 AB - Genetic differences between SARS-CoV-2 variants raise concerns about reinfection. Public health authorities monitored the incidence of suspected reinfection in Clark County, Nevada, USA, during March 2020–March 2022. Suspected reinfections, defined as a second positive PCR test collected >90 days after an initial positive test, were monitored through an electronic disease surveillance system. We calculated the proportion of all new cases per week that were suspected reinfections and rates per 1,000 previously infected persons by demographic groups. The rate of suspected reinfection remained <2.7% until December 2021, then increased to ≈11%, corresponding with local Omicron variant detection. Reinfection rates were higher among adults 18–50 years of age, women, and minority groups, especially persons identifying as American Indian/Alaska Native. Suspected reinfection became more common in Clark County after introduction of the Omicron variant, and some demographic groups are disproportionately affected. Public health surveillance could clarify the SARS-CoV-2 reinfection burden in communities. KW - COVID-19 KW - respiratory infections KW - severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 KW - SARS-CoV-2 KW - SARS KW - coronavirus disease KW - zoonoses KW - viruses KW - coronavirus KW - reinfection KW - Omicron variant KW - Nevada KW - United States DO - 10.3201/eid2810.221045 UR - https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/28/10/22-1045_article ER - End of Reference