Jeffrey Barrett, DPhil, F Med Sci
COVID-19 Analysis Lead, Wellcome Sanger Institute
Comprehensive genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2
Together with the COG-UK consortium, we have built a national real-time genomic surveillance system of Covid-19. This system is underpinned by a steady-state flow of thousands of rapidly generated viral genome sequences every week from positive tests from around the UK linked to time and place. To date, the consortium has sequenced over 70,000 genomes, which represents nearly half of the global total. I will describe the logistics and operational effort needed to support this system, and the statistical model we have built to improve detection of super-spreading events using genomic data. We hope this system will help public health agencies respond effectively to the pandemic.
