SARS-CoV-2 introductions and early dynamics of the epidemic in Portugal
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SARS-CoV-2 introductions and early dynamics of the epidemic in Portugal
Vítor Borges, Joana Isidro, Nídia Sequeira Trovão, Sílvia Duarte, Helena Cortes-Martins, Hugo Martiniano, Isabel Gordo, Ricardo Leite, Luís Vieira, Portuguese network for SARS-CoV-2 genomics (Consortium), Raquel Guiomar & João Paulo Gomes
Abstract
Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal was rapidly implemented by the National Institute of Health in the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic, in collaboration with more than 50 laboratories distributed nationwide.
Analysing SARS-CoV-2 genetic material and how it changes over time can help us understand how the virus spreads between countries and determine the impact of control measures.
In this study, we investigated SARS-CoV-2 transmission and evolution in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal. In particular, we reconstructed the routes and timeliness of viral introductions into the country and assessed the relative contribution of each introduction in terms of how the epidemic evolved over time.
We detected at least 277 independent introductions, mostly from European countries (namely the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, and Switzerland), which were consistent with the countries with the highest connectivity with Portugal.
This study reflects an unprecedented effort in the field of the infectious diseases in Portugal, highlighting the need for systematic and geographically-representative surveillance to aid public health efforts to control the virus.
Results
Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal was rapidly implemented by the National Institute of Health in the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic, in collaboration with more than 50 laboratories distributed nationwide.
