Genomic Sequencing Crucial to Tracking New COVID-19 Variants — WHO
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says sequencing remains vital to detecting and tracking the emergence and spread of new variants of COVID-19, such as XBB.1.5.
Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said this at an online media conference.
“It’s now three years since the first sequence of SARS-CoV-2 was shared with the world,” he said.
Ghebreyesus said that sequence enabled the development of the first tests, and ultimately, vaccines.
“Throughout the pandemic, testing and sequencing helped us to track the spread and development of new variants.
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“But since the peak of the Omicron wave, the number of sequences being shared has dropped by more than 90 per cent and the number of countries sharing sequences has fallen by a third.
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“It’s understandable that countries cannot maintain the same levels of testing and sequencing they had during the Omicron peak,’” he said.
Ghebreyesus said the world cannot close its eyes and hope the virus would go away.
He called on all countries now experiencing intense transmission to increase sequencing, and to share those sequences.
According to him, investment in testing at-risk people to ensure they receive adequate care and in tracking the virus remains vital.
“There is no doubt that globally we are in a vastly better position than we were a year ago,” he said.
