To achieve similar feats in a more cost-effective and sustainable manner in future, improved high throughput virus sequencing protocols are required. To date almost 1 million SARS-CoV-2 genomes have been sequenced by members of the COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) Consortium. The evolution of new variants can be monitored and knowledge of specific mutations provides insights into the mechanisms through which the virus increases transmissibility or evades immunity. By enabling definition of lineages it facilitates tracking of the global spread of the virus. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of whole genome sequencing (WGS) of SARS-CoV-2 to inform public health policy.
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