Lebanon is witnessing an unprecedented crisis with the rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), financial meltdown, economic collapse, and the Beirut Port explosion. The first wave began in February 2020, following which the country experienced several episodes and peaks while alternating between lockdowns and phased liftings. One year of the pandemic revealed that effective mitigation could not be separated from the collapse of the ongoing economic, political, and health sectors.
Background: Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 is critical in monitoring viral lineages. Available data reveal a significant gap between low- and middle-income countries and the rest of the world. Methods: The SARS-CoV-2 sequencing costs using the Oxford Nanopore MinION device and hardware prices for data computation in Lebanon were estimated and compared with those in developed countries. SARS-CoV-2 genomes deposited on the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data per 1000 COVID-19 cases were determined per country. Results: Sequencing costs in Lebanon were significantly higher compared with those in developed countries. Low- and middle-income countries showed limited sequencing capabilities linked to the lack of support, high prices, long delivery delays and limited availability of trained personnel. Conclusion: The authors recommend the mobilization of funds to develop whole-genome sequencing-based surveillance platforms and the implementation of genomic epidemiology to better identify and track outbreaks, leading to appropriate and mindful interventions.
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