Detection of COVID-19 incidence among attendees of the 2022 Hajj season.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the presence of COVID-19 cases among pilgrims, health care workers (HCWs), and non-HCWs of Hajj 2022.

METHODS

Nasopharyngeal samples were collected from 491 attendees of Hajj 2022. All participants received three doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Paired (n = 138; 69 participants) and unpaired (n = 422; 422 participants) nasopharyngeal swabs were subjected to reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction targeting E gene of β-coronaviruses and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2. The results were linked to the participants' profiles, including role during Hajj, presence of respiratory symptoms or comorbidities, contact with symptomatic individuals, smoking status, and COVID-19 recovery.

RESULTS

A total of 20 (20 of 560; 3.6%) samples tested positive for COVID-19. Most cases (18 of 20; 90%) were pilgrims and non-HCWs. Six (30%) samples belonged to participants with previous positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. A total of 12 (60%) samples belonged to participants with respiratory symptoms. Three (15%) cases were linked to participants who had contact with individuals with respiratory symptoms. All cases belonged to individuals with no comorbidities, apart from a single case who has a chronic sinusitis. Five (25%) cases were smokers. No significant association was found between positive COVID-19 test and participants' profiles.

CONCLUSIONS

Few COVID-19 cases were detected in this study. Sustainable surveillance of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses during Hajj seasons remains necessary.