Real-Time Genomic Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern, Uruguay
Natalia Rego, Alicia Costábile, Mercedes Paz, Cecilia Salazar, Paula Perbolianachis, Lucía Spangenberg, Ignacio Ferrés, Rodrigo Arce, Álvaro Fajardo, Mailén Arleo, Tania Possi, Natalia Reyes, Ma Noel Bentancor, Andrés Lizasoain, María José Benítez, Viviana Bortagaray, Ana Moller, Gonzalo Bello, Ighor Arantes, Mariana Brandes, Pablo Smircich, Odhille Chappos, Melissa Duquía, Belén González, Luciana Griffero, Mauricio Méndez, Ma Pía Techera, J. E. Zanetti, Bernardina Rivera, Matías Maidana, Martina Alonso, Cecília Alonso, Julio C. Medina, Henry Albornoz, Rodney Colina, Verónica Noya, Gregorio Iraola, Tamara Fernández-Calero, Gonzalo Moratorio, Pilar Moreno
Abstract
We developed a genomic surveillance program for real-time monitoring of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) in Uruguay. We report on a PCR method for SARS-CoV-2 VOCs, the surveillance workflow, and multiple independent introductions and community transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 P.1 VOC in Uruguay.