Highlights

Number of SARS-CoV-2 genomes sequenced for every 1000 reported cases of COVID-19 in different countries. Only countries for which 1000 or more genomes are available from public repositories are represented.

The figure reports the number of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences available from the GISAID portal. Only countries for which 1000 or more genomes are available are represented. Blue: “novel” genomes, submitted between Feb 27th and Mar 31st 2021. Gray: genomes available in GISAID before Feb 27th 2021.

The figure displays the number of SARS-CoV-2 genomes, for every 1000 reported cases of COVID-19, currently available in the GISAID database for the 20 Italian administrative regions. This measure provides an 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. Panel B) shows the situation of the last month (from 1/03/2021 to 29/03/2021).

The prolonged circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and the emergence of viral variants, some of which are of public health concern (Variant Of Concern, Voc), are being investigated for their presence and spread. In this framework, the document “Interim indications on prevention and control measures for SARS-CoV-2 infections with regard to variants and anti-COVID-19 vaccination”, written by the ISS, Ministry of Health, AIFA and Inail working group, has recently been published.

The figure represents the distribution (set of values) of the interval of time (in weeks) between the isolation of a sample and the deposition of the corresponding SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequence in a public database. Only countries for which 1000 or more genomes of the pathogen are available in public databases are represented.

The figure reports the number of SARS-CoV-2 genomes sequenced for every 1000 reported cases of COVID-19 in different countries. Only countries for which 1000 or more genomes are available from public repositories are represented.