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Jan 15, 2021

Last Posted: Jan-15-2021 13:54:01

Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Lineage — United States, December 29, 2020–January 12, 2021
SE Galloway et al, MMWR, January 15, 2021

Modeling data indicate that B.1.1.7 has the potential to increase the U.S. pandemic trajectory in the coming months. CDC’s system for genomic surveillance and the effort to expand sequencing will increase the availability of timely U.S. genomic surveillance data.

Immune determinants of COVID-19 disease presentation and severity.
Brodin Petter et al. Nature medicine 2021 Jan (1) 28-33

The most important determinant of disease severity is age, with individuals over 65 years having the greatest risk of requiring intensive care, and men are more susceptible than women. In contrast to other respiratory viral infections, young children seem to be less severely affected. It is now clear that mild to severe acute infection is not the only outcome of COVID-19, and long-lasting symptoms are also possible.

Is precision medicine relevant in the age of COVID-19?
Zhou Amy et al. Genetics in medicine : official journal of the American College of Medical Genetics 2021 Jan

Precision medicine and precision public health interventions in COVID-19 are promising but need to complement efforts to strengthen public health infrastructure and address fundamental social, economic, and environmental causes of illness.

Emergence and Evolution of a Prevalent New SARS-CoV-2 Variant in the United States
AA Pater et al, BIORXIV, January 13, 2021

Genomic virus surveillance can lead to early identification of new variants and inform proper response during a pandemic. Using this approach, we have identified a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that emerged in the United States (U.S.) early in the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and has become one of the most prevalent U.S variants. This new variant within the B.1.2 lineage referred to here as 20C-US, has not yet spread widely to other countries.

Recurrent emergence and transmission of a SARS-CoV-2 Spike deletion H69/V70
S Kemp et al, BIORXIV, January 14, 2021

The lethal triad: SARS-CoV-2 Spike, ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Mutations in host and pathogen may affect the course of pandemic.
M Calcagnile et al, BIORXIV, January 14, 2021

Surveillance of genetic diversity and evolution in locally transmitted SARS-CoV-2 in Pakistan during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic
M Shakeel et al, BIORXIV, January 14, 2021

Spatial Inequities in COVID-19 Testing, Positivity, Confirmed Cases and Mortality in 3 US Cities: an Ecological Study
U Bilal et al, MEDRXIV, January 13, 2021

High throughput wastewater SARS-CoV-2 detection enables forecasting of community infection dynamics in San Diego county
S Karthitheyan et al, MEDRXIV, January 14, 2021

People with an intellectual disability should be prioritised for vaccination
KM Lodge et al, BMJ, January 15, 2021

Challenges and Opportunities for Communication about the Role of Genomics in Public Health.
Allen Caitlin G et al. Public health genomics 2021 Jan 1-7

We describe 5 common communication challenges about the role of genomics in public health: (1) communicating that using genomics to assess rare diseases can have an impact on public health; (2) providing evidence that genetic factors can add important information to environmental, behavioral, and social determinants of health; (3) communicating that although genetic factors are nonmodifiable, they can increase the impact of public health programs and communication strategies; (4) addressing the concern that genomics is not ready for clinical practice; and (5) communicating that genomics is valuable beyond the domain of health care and can be integrated as part of public health programs.


Hot Topics of the Day are picked by experts to capture the latest information and publications on public health genomics and precision health for various diseases and health topics. Sources include published scientific literature, reviews, blogs and popular press articles.

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Disclaimer: Articles listed in Hot Topics of the Day are selected by the CDC Office of Public Health Genomics to provide current awareness of the scientific literature and news. Inclusion in the update does not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor does it imply endorsement of the article's methods or findings. CDC and DHHS assume no responsibility for the factual accuracy of the items presented. The selection, omission, or content of items does not imply any endorsement or other position taken by CDC or DHHS. Opinion, findings and conclusions expressed by the original authors of items included in the Clips, or persons quoted therein, are strictly their own and are in no way meant to represent the opinion or views of CDC or DHHS. References to publications, news sources, and non-CDC Websites are provided solely for informational purposes and do not imply endorsement by CDC or DHHS.
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