The spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil

Caroline Ash

2020Science20 citationsDOI

Abstract

Coronavirus Brazil has been hard-hit by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Candido et al. combined genomic and epidemiological analyses to investigate the impact of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in the country. By setting up a network of genomic laboratories using harmonized protocols, the researchers found a 29% positive rate for SARS-CoV-2 among collected samples. More than 100 international introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into Brazil were identified, including three clades introduced from Europe that were already well established before the implementation of NPIs and travel bans. The virus spread from urban centers to the rest of the country, along with a 25% increase in the average distance traveled by air passengers before travel bans, despite an overall drop in short-haul travel. Unfortunately, the evidence confirms that current interventions remain insufficient to keep virus transmission under control in Brazil. Science , this issue p. [1255][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.abd2161

Topics & Concepts

PandemicSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Psychological intervention2019-20 coronavirus outbreakCoronavirusTransmission (telecommunications)Environmental healthEpidemiologyGeographyVirologyMedicineComputer scienceTelecommunicationsInfectious disease (medical specialty)DiseaseOutbreakPathologyPsychiatryInternal medicineSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchSARS-CoV-2 detection and testingMosquito-borne diseases and control