Early introductions and community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 in the United States

Abstract

The emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7, first detected in the United Kingdom, has become a national public health concern in the United States because of its increased transmissibility. Over 500 COVID-19 cases associated with this variant have been detected since December 2020, but its local establishment and pathways of spread are relatively unknown. Using travel, genomic, and diagnostic testing data, we highlight the primary ports of entry for B.1.1.7 in the US and locations of possible underreporting of B.1.1.7 cases. New York, which receives the most international travel from the UK, is likely one of the key hubs for introductions and domestic spread. Finally, we provide evidence for increased community transmission in several states. Thus, genomic surveillance for B.1.1.7 and other variants urgently needs to be enhanced to better inform the public health response.

Sequencing using a two-steps strategy reveals high genetic diversity in the S gene of SARS-CoV-2 after a high transmission period in Tunis, Tunisia

“…Thus, it is highly expected that the genetic features described herein will rapidly change to a lower genetic variability and a predominance of the B.1.1.7 UK lineage. Indeed, this is what happened in most countries of the world where the B.1.1.7 UK lineage was introduced causing devastating waves of COVID-19 (36,37). With its higher transmissibility within the human population, it becomes rapidly predominant once introduced and this is also what is expected to happen in Tunisia.…”

Trajectory of Growth of SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Houston, Texas, January through May 2021 Based on 12,476 Genome Sequences

“…We identified a significantly increased hospitalization rate for patients with B.1.1.7, compared to non-B.1.1.7 patients, but no significant difference in length of hospitalization or 28day mortality (Table 1). Several studies [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] In the UK, at the end of April, the B.1.1.7 variant accounted for 98% of all COVID-19 cases (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lineage_B.1.1.7). 27 A similar rapid increase in B.1.1.7 and population dominance has been reported in many countries, including Israel, France, Denmark, Norway, Lebanon, Norway, and other countries (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lineage_B.1.1.7).…”

“…In particular, VOC UK B.1.1.7 is of special interest because it has the ability to transmit very effectively, spread through populations rapidly, and has been reported to have a significantly higher mortality rate than non-B.1.1.7 infections (https://virological.org/t/preliminary-genomic-characterisation-of-anemergent-sars-cov-2-lineage-in-the-uk-defined-by-a-novel-set-of-spike-mutations/563, last accessed: May 17, 2020, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file /947048/Technical_Briefing_VOC_SH_NJL2_SH2.pdf, last accessed: May 17, 2020, https://app.box.com/s/3lkcbxepqixkg4mv640dpvvg978ixjtf/file/756963730457, last accessed: May 17, 2020, https://cmmid.github.io/topics/covid19/uk-novel-variant.html, last accessed: May 17, 2020, https://virological.org/t/lineage-specific-growth-of-sars-cov-2-b-1-1-7-during-theenglish-national-lockdown/575, last accessed: May 17, 2020). [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] VOCs known as B.1.351 and P.1, found to cause widespread disease in South Africa and Brazil, respectively, have sequence changes in spike protein that make them less susceptible to host and some therapeutic antibodies. [38][39][40][41] "California" VOC.…”

A tale of three SARS-CoV-2 variants with independently acquired P681H mutations in New York State

“…An outbreak in Westchester County led to the widespread distribution of the 20C clade, demonstrating the rapidity with which SARS-CoV-2 could spread through a community and beyond (Lasek-Nesselquist, Singh, et al 2021; Deng et al 2020; Zhang et al 2020; Gonzalez-Reiche et al 2020). New York was also one of the first to identify the presence of the B.1.1.7 variant in the US (associated with 40-70% increased growth rate; (Volz et al 2021) and possibly 30% increased mortality rate; Iacobucci 2021), serving as both a source and a sink for this variant of concern (Alpert et al 2021). Recently, the number of B.1.526 variants harboring Spike E484K or S477N mutations (possibly enabling increased transmission and/or evasion of monoclonal antibodies) were identified as rapidly growing within the state (Annavajhala et al 2021; Lasek-Nesselquist, Lapierre, et al 2021; West et al 2021), underscoring the need for fortified surveillance efforts.…”