Detecting Rapid Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Variants, France, January 26–February 16, 2021
Stéphanie Haïm‐Boukobza, Bénédicte Roquebert, Sabine Trombert‐Paolantoni, Emmanuel Lecorché, Laura Verdurme, Vincent Foulongne, Christian Selinger, Yannis Michalakis, Mircea T. Sofonea, Samuel Alizon
Abstract
Variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 raise concerns regarding the control of coronavirus disease epidemics. We analyzed 40,000 specific reverse transcription PCR tests performed on positive samples during January 26-February 16, 2021, in France. We found high transmission advantage of variants and more advanced spread than anticipated.
Topics & Concepts
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakVirologyCoronavirusBetacoronavirusTransmission (telecommunications)Sars virusCoronavirus InfectionsBiologyMedicineInfectious disease (medical specialty)OutbreakDiseaseInternal medicineElectrical engineeringEngineeringSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchSARS-CoV-2 detection and testingViral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology