SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance in Northeast Brazil: timing of emergence of the Brazilian variant of concern P1

Since March 2020, 11 lineages of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 have been identified in Sergipe state, Northeast Brazil. During the first 6 months of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, there was a higher frequency of B.1 (58.5%) and B.1.1.33 (17.1%) lineages. During the second wave of COVID-19, there was an increased frequency of P.1 (55.6%), the new Brazilian variant of concern.

Automated summary

Since March 2020, 11 lineages of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 have been identified in Sergipe state, Northeast Brazil. During the first 6 months of the COVID-19 outbreak, there was a higher frequency of B.1 and B.1.1.33 lineages. During the second wave, there was an increased frequency of the new Brazilian variant of concern, P.1.