The high numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Brazil have made Latin America an epicentre of the pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 established sustained transmission in Brazil early in the pandemic, but important gaps remain in our understanding of virus transmission dynamics at a national scale. We use 17,135 near-complete genomes sampled from 27 Brazilian states and bordering country Paraguay. From March to November 2020, we detected co-circulation of multiple viral lineages that were linked to multiple importations (predominantly from Europe). After November 2020, we detected large, local transmission clusters within the country. In the absence of effective restriction measures, the epidemic progressed, and in January 2021 there was emergence and onward spread, both within and abroad, of variants of concern and variants under monitoring, including Gamma (P.1) and Zeta (P.2). We also characterized a genomic overview of the epidemic in Paraguay and detected evidence of importation of SARS-CoV-2 ancestor lineages and variants of concern from Brazil. Our findings show that genomic surveillance in Brazil enabled assessment of the real-time spread of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

The appearance of new variants of SARS‐CoV‐2 has recently challenged public health authorities with respect to tracking transmission and mitigating the impact in the evolving pandemic across countries. B.1.525 is considered a variant under investigation since it carries specific genetic signatures present in P.1, B.1.1.7, and B.1.351. Here we report genomic evidence of the first likely imported case of the SARS‐CoV‐2 B.1.525 variant, isolated in a traveler returning from Nigeria.

Brazil has experienced some of the highest numbers of COVID-19 infections and deaths globally and made Latin America a pandemic epicenter from May 2021. Although SARS-CoV-2 established sustained transmission in Brazil early in the pandemic, important gaps remain in our understanding of local virus transmission dynamics. Here, we describe the genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 using near-full genomes sampled from 27 Brazilian states and an adjacent country - Paraguay. We show that the early stage of the pandemic in Brazil was characterised by the co-circulation of multiple viral lineages, linked to multiple importations predominantly from Europe, and subsequently characterized by large local transmission clusters. As the epidemic progressed, the absence of effective restriction measures led to the local emergence and international spread of Variants of Concern (VOC) and under monitoring (VUM), including the Gamma (P.1) and Zeta (P.2) variants. In addition, we provide a preliminary genomic overview of the epidemic in Paraguay, showing evidence of importation from Brazil. These data reinforce the need for the implementation of widespread genomic surveillance in South America as a toolkit for pandemic monitoring and providing a means to follow the real-time spread of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants with possible implications for public health and immunization strategies.

Tracking the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern is crucial to inform public health efforts and control the ongoing pandemic. Here, we report genetic evidence for circulation of the P.1 variant in Northeast Brazil. We advocate for increased active surveillance to ensure adequate control of this variant throughout the country.

Tracking the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern is crucial to inform public health efforts and control the ongoing pandemic. Here, we report genetic evidence for circulation of the P.1 variant in Northeast Brazil. We advocate for increased active surveillance to ensure adequate control of this variant throughout the country.Article Summary LineActive genomic surveillance of SARS- CoV-2 suspected cases from recent travelers reveals the circulation of the P1 variant of concern in Bahia state, Northeast Brazil.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has collapsed the health system, making it necessary to identify factors that help to predict and stratify the risk of patients on admission. Many factors have been used in clinical practice, but the scientific evidence available to date is limited. Purpose The objective of this study was to identify clinical and analytical predictors of 30-day mortality in SARS-CoV- 2 infection. Methods A total of 1708 consecutive patients hospitalized in our centre between 18th and 23rd March 2020 and 22nd August and 9th January 2021 with a confirmed microbiological diagnosis of COVID-19 by PCR were prospectively included. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess whether sex and race, smoking habit, chronic kidney disease, D-dimer, heart disease (defined as a history of acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, atrial fibrillation) and troponin at admission (cTnI levels greater than the 99th percentile of a healthy population) were related to the 30-day mortality of these patients. Results Baseline characteristic are shown in the table 1. Median hospital length of stay was 9 days (IQR 5 to 16). A total of 338 patients (19.8%) died within 30 days and 153 (9.0%) were admitted to the ICU. Furthermore, 52.1% of patients developed ARDS and 9.3% required non-invasive ventilation. A troponin at admission greater than the 99th percentile of a healthy population (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4–2.5, p<0.001) and a Charlson Comorbidity Index above 4 (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.9–3.6, p<0.001) were independent predictors of 30-day mortality in patients admitted due to COVID- 19 infection. Conclusions At admission time, troponin values and patient comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥4) can be useful as prognostic markers of SARS-CoV-2 infection. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Hospital Ramon y Cajal

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This article aims to understand the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on breastfeeding and health promotion actions within primary care from the perception of breastfeeding women. This qualitative study was developed with 24 women who breastfed during the first year of the pandemic. Data were analyzed using Content Analysis and interpreted in the light of the Interactive Breastfeeding Theory (IBT). The pandemic affected the vulnerability of the mental health of breastfeeding women, entailed difficulties for the continuity of breastfeeding and early insertion of formulas, impacted COVID-19 preventive measures in breastfeeding, and produced changes in the work of breastfeeding women. Furthermore, areas for improvement were identified in health promotion actions and the mother-child binomial support due to the interruption of childcare visits. Actions to promote child health in primary care were unsatisfactory. However, most study participants maintained exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, which could adversely affect child morbimortality.