Global workshop on enhancing sequencing to monitor SARS-CoV-2 evolution: report of a virtual meeting, 19 March 2021

Overview

A high level of global sequencing coverage is required to ensure genomic surveillance to detect variants and monitor virus evolution worldwide. Variants of concern, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and, more recently, Omicron, have continued to put pressure on health systems worldwide. The sixth meeting of the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee for COVID-19 made recommendations to State Parties to increase molecular testing and genetic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2, and to share sequences and metadata with WHO and through publicly accessible databases. The global workshop on enhancing sequencing to monitor SARS-CoV-2 evolution was held on 19 March 2021 to agree on a common strategic vision and way forward to increase SARS- CoV-2 genetic sequencing capacity to detect SARS-CoV-2 mutations and variants.