1. Lineage BA.2 dominated the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 epidemic wave in the Philippines.
- Author
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Li YT, Polotan FGM, Sotelo GIS, Alpino APA, Dolor AYM, Tujan MAA, Gomez MRR, Onza OJT, Chang AKT, Bautista CT, Carandang JC, Yangzon MSL, Pangilinan EAR, Mantaring RJ, Telles AJE, Egana JMC, Endozo JJS, Cruz RPS, Tablizo FA, Yap JMC, Maralit BA, Ayes MEC, de la Paz EMC, Saloma CP, Lim DR, Dancel LLM, Uy-Lumandas M, Medado IAP, Dizon TJR, Hampson K, Daldry S, Hughes J, and Brunker K
- Abstract
The Omicron severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant led to a dramatic global epidemic wave following detection in South Africa in November 2021. The BA.1 Omicron lineage was dominant and responsible for most SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in countries around the world during December 2021-January 2022, while other Omicron lineages, including BA.2, accounted for the minority of global isolates. Here, we describe the Omicron wave in the Philippines by analysing genomic data. Our results identify the presence of both BA.1 and BA.2 lineages in the Philippines in December 2021, before cases surged in January 2022. We infer that only the BA.2 lineage underwent sustained transmission in the country, with an estimated emergence around 18 November 2021 (95 per cent highest posterior density: 6-28 November), while despite multiple introductions, BA.1 transmission remained limited. These results suggest that the Philippines was one of the earliest areas affected by BA.2 and reiterate the importance of whole genome sequencing for monitoring outbreaks., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press.)
- Published
- 2022
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