Whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 for epidemiological surveillance in Andalusia (Spain)

As response to a recommendation for the integration of genome sequencing in the SARS-CoV-2 surveillance published by the Public Health Commission of the Interterritorial council in 22 January 2021, a joint instruction was carried out, 1/2020 from the General Secretariat for Research, Development and Innovation in Health and the Management Directorate of the Andalusian Health Service, for the Management of samples in the approach to Personalized Medicine in COVID-19.A consortium, made up of 8 main hospitals from the region, the Technical Office for Information Management, the Regional Management of Public Health (Epidemiological Surveillance and Occupational Health Service) and the Fundación Progreso y Salud, intends to use the network of diagnostic centers of the Andalusian community and the sequencing platforms of the Health Research Institutes and associated centers, to sequence hundreds of samples of the SARS-CoV-2 virus per week covering the whole of AndalusiaThe genomic sequence of the virus will help to characterize the spread and epidemiological transmission of the disease, for decision-making in Public Health for its containment, to go in depth in its role in the different forms of presentation of the disease, and from the point of view of clinical decision, to detect and use the genomic characteristics of the virus as biomarkers that will provide relevant information on the spread, the severity of the symptoms or the response to treatments. For further information, visit http://www.clinbioinfosspa.es/COVID_circuit/