Genomic Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 Variants Circulating in the United States, December 2020–May 2021

UK B.1.1.7 (Alpha) variant exhibits increased respiratory replication and shedding in nonhuman primates

“…In our current study, the AGM intranasal model of SARS-CoV-2 infection was used to assess differences between a contemporary progenitor SARS-CoV-2 variant (D614G), which was circulating in the summer of 2020, and the B.1.1.7 (Alpha) VOC that emerged from the D614G variant in the UK in late 2020. These variants were selected for direct comparison as they represent the two dominant SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating worldwide in late 2020 (D614G) and early 2021 (B.1.1.7) [ 26 ]. Herein, we report and discuss differences in organ tropism, replication kinetics and shedding between the two SARS-CoV-2 variants.…”

The Interferon-Induced Transmembrane Protein 3 -rs12252 Allele May Predict COVID-19 Severity Among Ethnic Minorities

“…We are still early in the pandemic and the SARS-COV-2 virus may mutate to more pathogenic variants and cause annual epidemics. The SARS-COV-2 virus B.1.617.2 (Delta variant) is projected to be the dominant variant in the USA and UK soon (Paul et al, 2021 ). The delta variant is highly contagious.…”

Wastewater network infrastructure in public health: Applications and learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Wastewater can serve as a useful complement to existing genomic epidemiology efforts. In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, multiple variants of concern (e.g., alpha, delta, lambda, mu) have emerged since December 2020 [ 52 , 53 ]. These variants were identified through sequencing of the genome in clinical specimens, and were quickly followed by the development of multiple assays to detect and monitor variants in wastewater [ 54 ].…”