Sequencing can help trace viral lineage, transmission, and rate of evolution. 1405–10.Ĭonduct more efficient case investigations. Oude Munnink et al., “Rapid SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequencing and analysis for informed public health decision-making in the Netherlands,” Nature Medicine, July 16, 2020, Volume 26, pp. Based on the analysis, the government introduced strict mitigation measures within weeks (for example, canceling large events, encouraging working from home, and closing schools). The Netherlands sequenced its first positive samples in late February. Genomic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 in a given population can serve as an early warning system to guide the public-health response. This response includes the following initiatives: Take informed public health actions. Sequencing is a powerful tool that enables public health authorities to improve precision, efficacy, and efficiency of public health response.
![covid 19 genome sequence analysis covid 19 genome sequence analysis](https://www.ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp/imsut/content/000002867.png)
Without sequencing data, public health authorities are blind to viral mutations that may reduce the efficacy of current response tools (for example, safety protocols, tests, vaccines, and clinical care) and are unable to take precise public health action. Additionally, states may consider developing a sequencing network across existing diagnostic and sequencing labs to ensure adequate surveillance, building a local database to aggregate data for timely public health action, and convening a corps of experts to interpret sequencing data for local response. With the influx of federal funding, states have an opportunity to build a sequencing utility that not only helps address COVID-19, but also builds the sequencing infrastructure for a more effective future public health system. US states have been consistently under-sequencing, making it harder to take targeted public health action, react to variants, and efficiently contact trace. “Global sequencing coverage,” GISAID, last updated March 26, 2021,. The United States has sequenced 200,000 cases, whereas the United Kingdom has sequenced 350,000.
![covid 19 genome sequence analysis covid 19 genome sequence analysis](http://bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/news/2020/april/coronavirus-article.jpg)
![covid 19 genome sequence analysis covid 19 genome sequence analysis](https://greatmountainpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/COVID-DNA-Sequence.png)
This article is a collaborative effort between Matt Craven, Ashka Davè, Laura Furstenthal, Rohit Kumar, and Hrishika Vuppala representing the views of McKinsey’s public & social sector, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals & medical products practices.