A Pre-Vaccination Baseline of SARS-CoV-2 Genetic Surveillance and Diversity in the United States.

ABSTRACT: COVID-19 vaccines were first administered on 15 December 2020, marking an important transition point for the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States (U.S.). Prior to this point in time, the virus spread to an almost completely immunologically naïve population, whereas subsequently, vaccine-induced immune pressure and prior infections might be expected to influence viral evolution. Accordingly, we conducted a study to characterize the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the U.S. pre-vaccination, investigate the depth and uniformity of genetic surveillance during this period, and measure and otherwise characterize changing viral genetic diversity, including by comparison with more recently emergent variants of concern (VOCs). In 2020, SARS-CoV-2 spread across the U.S. in three phases distinguishable b

SUBMITTER: Capoferri AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8778900 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature