Back to Search
Start Over
Genomic epidemiology reveals transmission patterns and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Source :
-
Nature communications [Nat Commun] 2020 Dec 11; Vol. 11 (1), pp. 6351. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Dec 11. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- New Zealand, a geographically remote Pacific island with easily sealable borders, implemented a nationwide 'lockdown' of all non-essential services to curb the spread of COVID-19. Here, we generate 649 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences from infected patients in New Zealand with samples collected during the 'first wave', representing 56% of all confirmed cases in this time period. Despite its remoteness, the viruses imported into New Zealand represented nearly all of the genomic diversity sequenced from the global virus population. These data helped to quantify the effectiveness of public health interventions. For example, the effective reproductive number, R <subscript>e</subscript> of New Zealand's largest cluster decreased from 7 to 0.2 within the first week of lockdown. Similarly, only 19% of virus introductions into New Zealand resulted in ongoing transmission of more than one additional case. Overall, these results demonstrate the utility of genomic pathogen surveillance to inform public health and disease mitigation.
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
COVID-19 virology
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Geography
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Middle Aged
New Zealand epidemiology
Pandemics
Phylogeny
SARS-CoV-2 classification
SARS-CoV-2 physiology
Whole Genome Sequencing methods
Young Adult
COVID-19 epidemiology
Genome, Viral genetics
Genomics methods
SARS-CoV-2 genetics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2041-1723
- Volume :
- 11
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Nature communications
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33311501
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20235-8