A Retrospective Population Study of 385 191 Positive Real-Time Reverse Transcription–Polymerase Chain Reaction Tests For SARS-CoV-2 from a Single Laboratory in Katowice, Poland from April 2020 to July 2022

BACKGROUND: This retrospective population study identified 385 191 positive real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from a single laboratory in Katowice, Poland, from April 2020 to July 2022. MATERIAL/METHODS: The material was nasopharyngeal, nasopharyngeal swab or bronchial lavage, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to confirm or exclude SARS-CoV-2 infection with the RT-PCR technique. Personal data are use according to the Provisions on the Protection of Personal Data by the Gyn-Centrum laboratory. RESULTS: In 9 months of 2020, the number of SARS-CoV-2 results was 88 986; in 2021, it was 168 439, and in the first 7 months of 2022, it was 12 786. In 2020, the highest number of positive results was recorded in the third quarter (83 094 cases); 2021, in the 1(st), 2(nd), and 4(th) quarters (58 712; 37 720; and 71 753 cases, respectively), and in 2022, in the 1(st) quarter (127 613 cases) of the year. A positive result was observed more often in women and people aged 30–39, followed by those 40–49 years. Patients aged 10–19 years comprised the smallest population of SARS-CoV-2-positive cases. CONCLUSIONS: In the Polish population studied, from April 2020 to July 2022, the detection rates of SARS-CoV-2 positivity were significantly higher for women than for men and in the 30–49 age group for both sexes. Also, the infection detection rate of 385 191 out of 1 332 659 patient samples, or 28.9%, supports that the Polish society adhered to public health recommendations for infection control during the COVID-19 pandemic.