Coronavirus (COVID-19) Collection
Emergence of B.1.1.318 SARS-CoV-2 viral lineage and high incidence of alpha B.1.1.7 variant of concern in the Republic of Gabon
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) appear to spread more easily. Other emerging variants are also gaining attention, either known as a "variants of interest" (VOI) or "variants under investigation" (VUI), which increase transmission, warranting further studies. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 genomes have accumulated genetic diversity, leading to increased transmission with altered viral properties (Kraemer et al. 2021).Characterizing SARS-CoV-2 genome diversity circulating in South American countries: Signatures of potentially emergent lineages?
Genomic surveillance, together with real-time monitoring and data-sharing networks, has become a valuable tool to improve understanding of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and epidemic dynamics in developed countries. Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants have arisen, including the emerging lineage B.1.1.7 initially described in the UK and now spreading globally. This lineage is of interest because of its estimated increased transmissibility (Rambaut et al., 2020a). Despite substantial advances, the implementation of genomic surveillance remains a challenge for most developing countries where access to whole genome sequencing is limited.
