Unique Clusters of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Causing a Large Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak in Hong Kong

After 2 months of relative quiescence, a large coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak occurred in Hong Kong in July 2020 after gradual relaxation of social distancing policy. Unique severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) phylogenetic clusters have been identified among locally acquired cases, with most genomes belonging to cluster HK1, which is phylogenetically related to SARS-CoV-2 reported overseas.

Automated summary

After a period of calm, a significant COVID-19 outbreak occurred in Hong Kong in July 2020 following the easing of social distancing measures. Unique phylogenetic clusters of SARS-CoV-2 were identified among locally acquired cases, with majority of genomes belonging to the HK1 cluster, which is related to SARS-CoV-2 strains reported overseas.