Introductions and early spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the New York City area
Open Access
- 17 July 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Science
- Vol. 369 (6501), 297-301
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abc1917
Abstract
New York City (NYC) has emerged as one of the epicenters of the current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. To identify the early transmission events underlying the rapid spread of the virus in the NYC metropolitan area, we sequenced the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients seeking care at the Mount Sinai Health System. Phylogenetic analysis of 84 distinct SARS-CoV-2 genomes indicates multiple, independent, but isolated introductions mainly from Europe and other parts of the United States. Moreover, we found evidence for community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 as suggested by clusters of related viruses found in patients living in different neighborhoods of the city.Keywords
Funding Information
- National Institutes of Health (HHSN272201400008C)
- National Institutes of Health (S10OD018522)
- National Institutes of Health (S10OD026880)
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