Genomics and epidemiology of the P.1 SARS-CoV-2 lineage in Manaus, Brazil

Abstract

Unmitigated spread in Brazil Despite an extensive network of primary care availability, Brazil has suffered profoundly during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Using daily data from state health offices, Castro et al. analyzed the pattern of spread of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the country from February to October 2020. Clusters of deaths before cases became apparent indicated unmitigated spread. SARS-CoV-2 circulated undetected in Brazil for more than a month as it spread north from Sã o Paulo. In Manaus, transmission reached unprecedented levels after a momentary respite in mid-2020. Faria et al. tracked the evolution of a new, more aggressive lineage called P.1, which has 17 mutations, including three (K417T, E484K, and N501Y) in the spike protein. After a period of accelerated evolution, this variant emerged in Brazil during November 2020. Coupled with the emergence of P.1, disease spread was accelerated by stark local inequalities and political upheaval, which compromised a prompt federal response. Science , abh1558 and abh2644, this issue p. 821 and p. 815

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Affiliated Institutions

• University of Southampton GB
• KU Leuven BE
• Harvard University US
• Royal Veterinary College GB
• Temple University US
• University of California, Los Angeles US
• Institute of Applied Economic Research BR
• Instituto Adolfo Lutz BR
• Centre for Human Genetics GB
• Centro Universitário Lusíada BR
• Rega Institute for Medical Research BE
• Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo BR
• Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy US
• National Institute of Amazonian Research BR
• University of Birmingham GB
• Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) BR
• Imperial College London GB
• Universidade de São Paulo BR
• University of Oxford GB
• Universidade Federal de Uberlândia BR
• Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais BR
• University of Copenhagen DK
• Fundação Hospitalar de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas BR
• University of Edinburgh GB

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