Viral mutations, vaccine effectiveness and rapid tests – COVID-19 risk management in the two largest LNG producing countries, Qatar and Australia

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic created challenges for the oil and gas industry. Qatar experienced three significant waves during the pandemic that disproportionately affected the workers in shared accommodation. In Australia, the public health measures limited the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the industry until the Omicron wave. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was assessed in five oil and gas subcontractors and five hospital subcontractors in Qatar between 21 June and 9 September 2020. Vaccine effectiveness was assessed in Qatar. Vaccine effectiveness in an LNG tanker crew off Gladstone was calculated. The initial study in Qatar included 4970 craft manual workers (CMWs) who were mostly men (95.0%). Infection positivity (antibody and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive) ranged from 62.5% (95% CI: 58.3–66.7%) to 83.8% (95% CI: 79.1–87.7%). Only five infections were severe and one was critical – an infection severity rate of 0.2% (95% CI: 0.1–0.4%). Rapid antibody tests (RATs) were effective in diagnosis of the SARS-CoV-2 virus infections. Vaccine effectiveness against severe, critical or fatal infections were above 90% in both the Qatar and Australian studies, but protection against infection waned significantly after 6 months. In Qatar and Australia, the industry implemented effective control measures including the use of RATs, PCR tests, test, trace, isolation, quarantine (TTIQ) and vaccination. In both countries, the LNG industry collaborated with public health experts and other experts and was involved in research to assess and manage the risk of COVID-19. Production of LNG was not affected. Participation in public health research in both countries contributed to important scientific publications and protected the industry. COVID-19 may become endemic.