Recently uploaded to the preprint server medRxiv, epidemiologists, public health officials, and physicians from the Faroe Islands, an autonomous Danish territory, report that at a recent private gathering, 21 of the 33 triple-vaccinated healthcare workers were infected with the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.

The authors included the Chief Medical Officer for a community on the Faroe Islands, a self-governing group of islands situated between Iceland and Norway that has thus far fared well in keeping COVID-19 away. The authors report that by December 8, 74.6% of the territory’s population were vaccinated twice while 13.6% of the population by that date received a booster vaccine.

Since November, the islands, which are heavily vaccinated, have experienced record surges in cases. By December 31, 2021, a new record of new cases based on the seven-day average was established at 93 infections per day. About 83% of the entire territory is classified as fully vaccinated with a third jab boost rate of about 30%. The islands’ population totals about 48,000.

Findings

The recent case series study write-up covered an event where 33 persons attending a private gathering were exposed to the Omicron variant of concern. Several participants noticed symptoms during the following days and performed a PCR test, which was positive. The other participants subsequently also performed PCR tests, resulting in 21 of 33 participants testing positive, corresponding to an attack rate of 63.6%. The unusually high attack rate led the Chief Medical Officer to request genome sequencing of the virus, identifying the first Omicron variant in the Faroes on December 8. So far, 13 samples from the gathering, and an additional four from the extended transmission chain, have been verified as the Omicron variant through targeted sequencing.

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All other cases the authors assume as the Omicron variant as well. It has not been possible to definitively identify the index case initiating this transmission chain, but presumably, the variant has been imported from abroad.

The study authors report that all infected participants were fully vaccinated with the mRNA vaccine, BNT162b2 (Comirnaty; BioNTech/Pfizer), and had received a third booster dose within the last two and a half months. None had a history of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The authors reported a brief SARS-CoV-2 incubation period of 2 to 6 days with a mean incubation period of 3.24 days (95% CI 2.873.60). Time to symptom resolution varies with symptoms lasting from one to 9 days.

Conclusion

The Faroe Island authors warn that Omicron can most definitely lead to “super-spreader” events, even in people triple jabbed. With all the reported cases symptomatic, thankfully no one had to be admitted to the hospital. The authors express an urgent need for a better understanding of the Omicron variant.

The team’s findings suggest Omicron displays potent immune-escape properties, and that recently, boosted individuals face risk with this pathogen. By all accounts thus far the Omicron variant is more transmissible but less severe than the Delta variant. Did vaccines help mitigate and reduce the intensity of the breakthrough infection? It is very likely that status helped. But the dominant narrative that a third boost will protect against infection is challenged here on the Faroe Islands, a part of Denmark.

Lead Research/Investigator

Gunnhild Helmsdal, General Practitioner Service, Vestmanna, Corresponding Author
Olga K Hansen, Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Tórshavn
Lars F Møller, Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Tórshavn
Debes H Christiansen, Faroese Food and Veterinary Authority, Tórshavn
Maria Skaalum Petersen, Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, Faroe Islands
Marnar F Kristiansen, Center of health Science, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn