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Science Translational Medicine 03 May 2021:
eabf0202
DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abf0202
Nicola F. M?ller*,?,1, Cassia Wagner?,1,2, Chris D. Frazar?,2, Pavitra Roychoudhury?,1,2, Jover Lee1, Louise H. Moncla1, Benjamin Pelle2, Matthew Richardson2, Erica Ryke2, Hong Xie3, Lasata Shrestha3, Amin Addetia3, Victoria M. Rachleff1,3, Nicole A. P. Lieberman3, Meei-Li Huang3, Romesh Gautom4, Geoff Melly4, Brian Hiatt4, Philip Dykema4, Amanda Adler5, Elisabeth Brandstetter6, Peter D. Han2, Kairsten Fay1, Misja Ilcisin1, Kirsten Lacombe5, Thomas R. Sibley1, Melissa Truong2, Caitlin R. Wolf6, Michael Famulare9, Barry R. Lutz7,10, Mark J. Rieder7, Matthew Thompson11, Jeffrey S. Duchin12,13, Lea M. Starita2,7, Helen Y. Chu12,7, Jay Shendure2,7,14, Keith R. Jerome1,3, Scott Lindquist4, Alexander L. Greninger?,1,3, Deborah A. Nickerson?,2,7 and Trevor Bedford*,?,1,2,7
Abstract
The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 has gravely impacted societies around the world. Outbreaks in different parts of the globe have been shaped by repeated introductions of new viral lineages and subsequent local transmission of those lineages. Here, we sequenced 3940 SARS-CoV-2 viral genomes from Washington State to characterize how the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Washington State (USA) in early 2020 was shaped by differences in timing of mitigation strategies across counties, as well as by repeated introductions of viral lineages into the state. Additionally, we show that the increase in frequency of a potentially more transmissible viral variant (614G) over time can potentially be explained by regional mobility differences and multiple introductions of 614G, but not the other variant (614D) into the state. At an individual level, we observed evidence of higher viral loads in patients infected with the 614G variant. However, using clinical records data, we did not find any evidence that the 614G variant impacts clinical severity or patient outcomes. Overall, this suggests that with regards to D614G, the behavior of individuals has been more important in shaping the course of the pandemic in Washington State than this variant of the virus.
eabf0202
DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abf0202
Nicola F. M?ller*,?,1, Cassia Wagner?,1,2, Chris D. Frazar?,2, Pavitra Roychoudhury?,1,2, Jover Lee1, Louise H. Moncla1, Benjamin Pelle2, Matthew Richardson2, Erica Ryke2, Hong Xie3, Lasata Shrestha3, Amin Addetia3, Victoria M. Rachleff1,3, Nicole A. P. Lieberman3, Meei-Li Huang3, Romesh Gautom4, Geoff Melly4, Brian Hiatt4, Philip Dykema4, Amanda Adler5, Elisabeth Brandstetter6, Peter D. Han2, Kairsten Fay1, Misja Ilcisin1, Kirsten Lacombe5, Thomas R. Sibley1, Melissa Truong2, Caitlin R. Wolf6, Michael Famulare9, Barry R. Lutz7,10, Mark J. Rieder7, Matthew Thompson11, Jeffrey S. Duchin12,13, Lea M. Starita2,7, Helen Y. Chu12,7, Jay Shendure2,7,14, Keith R. Jerome1,3, Scott Lindquist4, Alexander L. Greninger?,1,3, Deborah A. Nickerson?,2,7 and Trevor Bedford*,?,1,2,7
Abstract
The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 has gravely impacted societies around the world. Outbreaks in different parts of the globe have been shaped by repeated introductions of new viral lineages and subsequent local transmission of those lineages. Here, we sequenced 3940 SARS-CoV-2 viral genomes from Washington State to characterize how the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Washington State (USA) in early 2020 was shaped by differences in timing of mitigation strategies across counties, as well as by repeated introductions of viral lineages into the state. Additionally, we show that the increase in frequency of a potentially more transmissible viral variant (614G) over time can potentially be explained by regional mobility differences and multiple introductions of 614G, but not the other variant (614D) into the state. At an individual level, we observed evidence of higher viral loads in patients infected with the 614G variant. However, using clinical records data, we did not find any evidence that the 614G variant impacts clinical severity or patient outcomes. Overall, this suggests that with regards to D614G, the behavior of individuals has been more important in shaping the course of the pandemic in Washington State than this variant of the virus.
