Publication

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in December 2019 impacted global public health as the most severe modern pandemic ever recorded. Remarkably, it was possible to monitor its evolution in real-time, including viral evolution and the emergence of new lineages, thanks to technology and the speed of communication via the internet. Understanding the circulating viral variants and their characteristics within the population was crucial for effectively guiding public health actions in combating the disease. In this study, we conducted detailed phylogenetic analyses as a result of a recently established genomic surveillance hub at LACEN-MT. The samples were sequenced and subsequently deposited on the GISAID platform between October 21, 2021 and March 31, 2023. The findings of this study suggest that the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Mato Grosso State was characterized by the successive introduction of new strains from different countries, leading to the generation of waves of infection. Overall, this study underscores the importance of investigating the spatiotemporal evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic and how its variants spread across the state, contributing to pandemic peaks in the region. It also highlights the significance of disseminating this information to the management team in Mato Grosso to help implement monitoring strategies that could reduce cases and deaths in the state.