Tan Hao Yi, Khamis Nur Huda, Goh Alvin, Mah Tania K L, Yeo Benny, Ngan Jie Yin, Ding Yichen, Lin Cui, Chae Sae-Rom, Lee Phoebe, Ho Zheng Jie Marc
Communicable Diseases Group, Ministry of Health, Singapore.
Health Systems Group, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2024 Dec;18(12):e70060. doi: 10.1111/irv.70060.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, genomic surveillance was crucial for monitoring virus spread and identifying variants. Effective surveillance helped understand transmission dynamics. Singapore had success in combating COVID-19 through its surveillance programmes. This paper outlines Singapore's strategy and its impact on public health during the transition to endemicity over 54 weeks from February 2022 to February 2023.
In May 2022, Singapore expanded its acute respiratory infections (ARI) surveillance to enhance COVID-19 detection. COVID-19-positive samples from ARI cases were sent to the National Public Health Laboratory for whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS data informed public health actions based on transmission origins and case severity.
Over 54 weeks, NPHL sequenced 18,918 (73%) samples. Analysis showed 29% imported and 71% local cases. Severe cases accounted for 12% and were mostly elderly, specifically those aged 80 years old and above. Variant analysis identified 11 predominant variants and 288 subvariants. Omicron BA.2, BA.5 and XBB were initially dominant, followed by increased variant heterogeneity. Severe cases mirrored these trends.
Genomic surveillance was integral in Singapore's COVID-19 response, guiding timely public health decisions. Effective variant tracking supported proactive measures. The experience underscores the importance of genomic surveillance for future pandemic preparedness and emerging disease detection, emphasising its role in shaping pandemic responses and global health.
在新冠疫情期间，基因组监测对于监测病毒传播和识别变异株至关重要。有效的监测有助于了解传播动态。新加坡通过其监测计划成功抗击了新冠疫情。本文概述了新加坡在2022年2月至2023年2月的54周内过渡到地方病流行阶段的战略及其对公共卫生的影响。
2022年5月，新加坡扩大了急性呼吸道感染（ARI）监测，以加强新冠病毒检测。来自ARI病例的新冠病毒阳性样本被送往国家公共卫生实验室进行全基因组测序（WGS）。WGS数据根据传播来源和病例严重程度为公共卫生行动提供信息。
在54周内，国家公共卫生实验室对18918份（73%）样本进行了测序。分析显示，29%为输入性病例，71%为本地病例。重症病例占12%，主要是老年人，特别是80岁及以上的老年人。变异株分析确定了11种主要变异株和288种亚变异株。奥密克戎BA.2、BA.5和XBB最初占主导地位，随后变异株异质性增加。重症病例反映了这些趋势。
基因组监测是新加坡应对新冠疫情不可或缺的一部分，为及时的公共卫生决策提供了指导。有效的变异株追踪支持了积极主动的措施。这一经验强调了基因组监测对于未来大流行防范和新发疾病检测的重要性，突出了其在塑造大流行应对措施和全球卫生方面的作用。
