SARS-CoV-2 introductions and early dynamics of the epidemic in Portugal.

ABSTRACT:

Background

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.

Methods

By applying recent phylodynamic models that allow integration of individual-based travel history, we reconstructed and characterized the spatio-temporal dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 introductions and early dissemination in Portugal.

Results

We detected at least 277 independent SARS-CoV-2 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. Although most introductions were estimated to have

SUBMITTER: Borges V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9053228 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature