Supplementing SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance with PCR-based variant detection for real-time actionable information, the Netherlands, June to July 2021

We evaluated routine testing with SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant-specific RT-PCR in regional hospital laboratories in addition to centralised national genomic surveillance in the Netherlands during June and July 2021. The increase of the Delta variant detected by RT-PCR correlated well with data from genomic surveillance and was available ca 2 weeks earlier. This rapid identification of the relative abundance and increase of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern may have important benefits for implementation of local public health measures.

Automated summary

Routine testing with SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant-specific RT-PCR in regional hospital laboratories showed a good correlation with centralised national genomic surveillance data, detecting the Delta variant approximately 2 weeks earlier. Rapid identification of the relative abundance and increase of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern could have significant benefits for implementing local public health measures.