Genomic epidemiology reveals the reduction of the introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2 after implementing control strategies in Republic of Korea, 2020.

ABSTRACT: Genomic epidemiology is a core component in investigating the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this study, the efficacy of control strategies in South Korea was evaluated using genomic epidemiology based on viral genome sequences of 2,065 SARS-CoV-2 cases identified in South Korea from January 2020 to December 2020. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the majority of viruses introduced from inbound travelers did not further spread throughout South Korea; however, four distinct subgroups (KR.1-4, belonging to B.1.497, B.1, K.1 and B.41) of viruses caused local epidemics. After the introduction of enhanced social distancing, the viral population size and daily case numbers decreased, and KR.2-4 subgroups were extinguished from South Korea. Nevert

SUBMITTER: Kwon JH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8574293 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature