Helix, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA.
Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Cell. 2021 May 13;184(10):2587-2594.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.03.052. Epub 2021 Mar 30.
The highly transmissible B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2, first identified in the United Kingdom, has gained a foothold across the world. Using S gene target failure (SGTF) and SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequencing, we investigated the prevalence and dynamics of this variant in the United States (US), tracking it back to its early emergence. We found that, while the fraction of B.1.1.7 varied by state, the variant increased at a logistic rate with a roughly weekly doubling rate and an increased transmission of 40%-50%. We revealed several independent introductions of B.1.1.7 into the US as early as late November 2020, with community transmission spreading it to most states within months. We show that the US is on a similar trajectory as other countries where B.1.1.7 became dominant, requiring immediate and decisive action to minimize COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.
高度传染性的 SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 变异株最初在英国被发现，现已在全球范围内立足。我们使用 S 基因靶标失败（SGTF）和 SARS-CoV-2 基因组测序来研究该变异株在美国的流行情况和动态，追溯其早期出现的情况。我们发现，尽管 B.1.1.7 的比例因州而异，但该变异株以逻辑比率增加，大约每周翻一番，传播率增加 40%-50%。我们揭示了早在 2020 年 11 月下旬，B.1.1.7 就已经有几个独立的传入美国的案例，并且社区传播已经在数月内将其传播到了大多数州。我们表明，美国正处于与其他国家类似的轨迹上，B.1.1.7 成为主导，需要立即采取果断行动，以最大程度地降低 COVID-19 的发病率和死亡率。
