Emerging Infectious Diseases (May 2021)

Detecting Rapid Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Variants, France, January 26–February 16, 2021

  • Stéphanie Haim-Boukobza,
  • Bénédicte Roquebert,
  • Sabine Trombert-Paolantoni,
  • Emmanuel Lecorche,
  • Laura Verdurme,
  • Vincent Foulongne,
  • Christian Selinger,
  • Yannis Michalakis,
  • Mircea T. Sofonea,
  • Samuel Alizon

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2705.210397
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 27, no. 5
pp. 1496 – 1499

Abstract

Read online

Variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 raise concerns regarding the control of coronavirus disease epidemics. We analyzed 40,000 specific reverse transcription PCR tests performed on positive samples during January 26–February 16, 2021, in France. We found high transmission advantage of variants and more advanced spread than anticipated.

Keywords