Emerg Infect Dis
. 2021 Mar 26;27(5).
doi: 10.3201/eid2705.210397. Online ahead of print.
Detecting Rapid Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Variants, France, January 26-February 16, 2021
St?phanie Haim-Boukobza, B?n?dicte Roquebert, Sabine Trombert-Paolantoni, Emmanuel Lecorche, Laura Verdurme, Vincent Foulongne, Christian Selinger, Yannis Michalakis, Mircea T Sofonea, Samuel Alizon
- PMID: 33769253
- DOI: 10.3201/eid2705.210397
Abstract
Variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 raise concerns regarding the control of coronavirus disease epidemics. We analyzed 40,000 specific reverse transcription PCR tests performed on positive samples during January 26-February 16, 2021 in France. We found high transmission advantage of variants and more advanced spread than anticipated.
Keywords: COVID-19; France; GLM; RT-PCR; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus disease; epidemiology; respiratory infections; screening; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; statistical modelling; transmission; variants; virus; viruses; zoonoses.