Genomic epidemiology reveals the dominance of Hennepin County in transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Minnesota from 2020-2022.

ABSTRACT: SARS-CoV-2 has had an unprecedented impact on human health and highlights the need for genomic epidemiology studies to increase our understanding of virus evolution and spread, and to inform policy decisions. We sequenced viral genomes from over 22,000 patient samples tested at Mayo Clinic Laboratories between 2020-2022 and use Bayesian phylodynamics to describe county and regional spread in Minnesota. The earliest introduction into Minnesota was to Hennepin County from a domestic source around January 22, 2020; six weeks before the first confirmed case in the state. This led to the virus spreading to Northern Minnesota, and eventually, the rest of the state. International introductions were most abundant in Hennepin (home to the Minneapolis/St. Paul International (MSP) airport) totaling 4

SUBMITTER: Scotch M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9347287 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature