Time to SARS‐CoV‐2 clearance in African, Caucasian, and Asian ethnic groups

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Background COVID‐19 may become a seasonal disease. SARS‐CoV‐2 active circulation coupled with vaccination efforts has undoubtedly modified the virus dynamic. It is therefore important investigate SARS‐CoV‐2 dynamic in different groups of population following the course of spatiotemporal variance and immunization. Methods To investigate SARS‐CoV‐2 clearance in different ethnic groups and the impact of immunization, we recruited 777 SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive patients (570 Africans, 156 Caucasians, and 51 Asians). Participants were followed and regularly tested for 2 months until they had two negative tests. Results The vaccination rate was 64.6%. African individuals were less symptomatic (2%), Caucasians (41%) and Asians (36.6%). On average, viral clearance occurred after 10.5 days. Viral load at diagnosis was inversely correlated with viral clearance ( p < 0.0001). The time of SARS‐CoV‐2 clearance was higher in Africans and Caucasians than in Asians (Dunn's test p < 0.0001 and p < 0.05, respectively). On average, viral clearance occurred within 9.5 days during the second semester (higher rate of vaccination and SARS‐CoV‐2 exposition), whereas it took 13.6 days during the first semester (lower rate of vaccination and SARS‐CoV‐2 exposition) (Mann–Whitney t ‐test p < 0.0001). Conclusion In conclusion, ethnicity and spatiotemporal changes including SARS‐CoV‐2 exposition and immunization affect SARS‐CoV‐2 clearance.