Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Russia reveals recurring cross-border transmission throughout 2020

In 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has spread rapidly across the globe, with most nations failing to prevent or substantially delay its introduction. While many countries have imposed some limitations on trans-border passenger traffic, the effect of these measures on the global spread of COVID-19 strains remains unclear. Here, we report an analysis of 3206 whole-genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 samples from 78 regions of Russia covering the period before the spread of variants of concern (between March and November 2020). We describe recurring imports of multiple COVID-19 strains into Russia throughout this period, giving rise to 457 uniquely Russian transmission lineages, as well as repeated cross-border transmissions of local circulating variants out of Russia. While the phylogenetically inferred rate of cross-border transmissions was somewhat reduced during the period of the most stringent border closure, it still remained high, with multiple inferred imports that each led to detectable spread within the country. These results indicate that partial border closure has had little effect on trans-border transmission of variants, which helps explain the rapid global spread of newly arising SARS-CoV-2 variants throughout the pandemic.

Automated summary

In 2020, SARS-CoV-2 quickly spread worldwide, and most countries were unable to prevent or delay its transmission. The impact of limitations on trans-border passenger traffic on the global spread of COVID-19 strains is uncertain. A study analyzed 3206 whole-genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 samples from 78 regions in Russia before the spread of variants of concern. The results showed that partial border closure had little effect on trans-border transmission of variants, contributing to the rapid global spread of newly arising SARS-CoV-2 variants.