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Viral genomes per Italian region

SARS-CoV-2 genomes in the GISAID database by 1000 cases of COVID-19, for the 20 Italian Administrative Regions as of May 30th 2021

Published: 10 June 2021

The figure displays the number of SARS-CoV-2 genomes currently available in the GISAID database, for every 1000 reported cases of COVID-19, for the 20 Italian administrative regions. This metric provides a raw indication of our ability to rapidly identify novel mutations or lineages of the virus and monitor its circulation on a geographical and temporal basis. Panel A) shows the global situation (from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic). Panel B) shows the situation of the last month (from May 1st to May 30th 2021).
Viral genomes per Italian region
The number of genomes for 1000 COVID-19 cases is reported on the X-axis. Regions are indicated on the Y-axis. The text in red indicates the values represented in the graph. Panel A) reports the total number, while panel B) the number of genomes available last month (from May 1st to May 30th 2021).

This figure offers an overview of the number of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences, currently available in the GISAID database for different regions of our country. Sequencing an adequate proportion (compared to the number of COVID-19 cases) of viral genomes, and making the data rapidly available are key requirements for the identification of novel viral lineages or mutations of potential concern.

Despite the increasing number of sequenced genomes (probably boosted by the emergence of new variants of epidemiological interest), the data provided by different regions of our country are still heterogeneous, and are not always up to date. For this reason it is hard to obtain a complete and accurate overview of the viral lineages circulating in our country, especially for some specific regions.

Periodic comparisons of available data provide an overview of the completeness and accuracy of the currently accessible information, but also of possible issues. In addition to offering a snapshot of the number of SARS-CoV-2 genomes that are currently available, this monthly report aims to monitor the effectiveness of the actions undertaken by the Italian COVID-19 Data Portal to make available data more homogeneous and complete, and therefore more useful.

Sources: GISAID (for genomic data), ISS (COVID-19 cases)