UMBI Research Spotlight No.8/2026
The COVGEN Study: Risk Factors & Variant Impacts on COVID-19 in Malaysia
UMBI is pleased to share a published research article of the COVGEN study, a prospective, multicentre Malaysian cohort investigating the relationships between SARS-CoV-2 variants, host risk factors and COVID-19 severity. The study analysed 2,406 participants across Malay, Chinese and Indian populations, combining clinical information, serial biospecimen collection and next-generation sequencing to provide both clinical and molecular insights into COVID-19.
The findings showed that underlying comorbidities were associated with severe COVID-19 outcomes and mortality, while heterologous vaccination regimens were associated with non-severe outcomes in the study population. The research also identified distinct symptom profiles between the Delta and Omicron periods, with symptoms such as loss of smell and taste more strongly associated with the Delta period, while sore throat was more associated with the Omicron period.
The COVGEN study highlights the value of integrating clinical, epidemiological and molecular data to better understand COVID-19 disease patterns and factors associated with disease severity in the Malaysian population.
Read the full article:
Nor Azila Muhammad Azami et al. (2026).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-026-13342-2
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