Low prevalence of current and past SARS-CoV-2 infections among visitors and staff members of homelessness services in Amsterdam at the end of the second wave of infections in the Netherlands.

Background: People experiencing homelessness (PEH) may be at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19. The Dutch government established emergency shelters and introduced preventive measures for homelessness services. There were no major SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks noticed among PEH during the first two waves of infections.

COVID-19 burden differed by city districts and ethnicities during the pre-vaccination era in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Background: During the first wave of COVID-19 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, a disproportional number of COVID-19 hospitalizations occurred in individuals with an ethnic minority background and in individuals living in city districts with a lower socioeconomic status (SES). In this study, we assessed whether these disparities continued throughout the second wave, when SARS-CoV-2 testing was available to anyone with symptoms but prior to the availability of COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods: Surveillance data on all notified SARS-CoV-2 cases in Amsterdam between 15 June 2020 and 20 January 2021 were matched to municipal registration data to obtain the migration background of cases.

Factors Associated With Using the COVID-19 Mobile Contact-Tracing App Among Individuals Diagnosed With SARS-CoV-2 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands: Observational Study.

Background: Worldwide, efforts are being made to stop the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. Contact tracing and quarantining are key in limiting SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Mathematical models have shown that the time between infection, isolation of cases, and quarantining of contacts are the most important components that determine whether the pandemic can be controlled.

Self-reported symptoms as predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general population living in the Amsterdam region, the Netherlands.

Introduction: Most COVID-19 symptoms are non-specific and also common in other respiratory infections. We aimed to assess which symptoms are most predictive of a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 in symptomatic people of the general population who were tested.

Methods: We used anonymised data of all SARS-CoV-2 test results from the Public Health Service of Amsterdam from June 1,2020 through August 31, 2021.

Differences in SARS-CoV-2 infections during the first and second wave of SARS-CoV-2 between six ethnic groups in Amsterdam, the Netherlands: A population-based longitudinal serological study.

Background: Surveillance data in high-income countries have reported more frequent SARS-CoV-2 diagnoses in ethnic minority groups. We examined the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 and its determinants in six ethnic groups in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Methods: We analysed participants enrolled in the population-based HELIUS cohort, who were tested for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies and answered COVID-19-related questions between June 24-October 9, 2020 (after the first wave) and November 23, 2020-March 31, 2021 (during the second wave).

Hospitalisation rates differed by city district and ethnicity during the first wave of COVID-19 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: It is important to gain insight into the burden of COVID-19 at city district level to develop targeted prevention strategies. We examined COVID-19 related hospitalisations by city district and migration background in the municipality of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Methods: We used surveillance data on all PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 hospitalisations in Amsterdam until 31 May 2020, matched to municipal registration data on migration background.

High carriage of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae associated with sexual activity among men who have sex with men.

Background: Extended-spectrum β-lactamase Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) may be sexually transmitted. Men who have sex with men (MSM) have different sexual behaviour than the general population, and thus may be at risk for ESBL-E carriage. This study determined the prevalence of ESBL-E carriage and its association with sexual behaviour among MSM in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Sexual behaviour and incidence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men using daily and event-driven pre-exposure prophylaxis in AMPrEP: 2 year results from a demonstration study.

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV might induce risk compensation, defined as increased sexual risk behaviour leading to increased incidence of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We examined the incidence of HIV, STIs, and sexual behaviour after initiating daily and event-driven PrEP.

Methods: AMPrEP is a demonstration study that assessed the incidence of HIV and bacterial STIs and sexual behaviour among PrEP users at the STI clinic of the Public Health Service of Amsterdam (Amsterdam, the Netherlands).

Detection of noroviruses in foods: a study on virus extraction procedures in foods implicated in outbreaks of human gastroenteritis.

Disease outbreaks in which foods are epidemiologically implicated as the common source are frequently reported. Noroviruses and enteric hepatitis A viruses are among the most prevalent causative agents of foodborne diseases. However, the detection of these viruses in foods other than shellfish is often time-consuming and unsuccessful.