Resurgence of SARS-CoV-2 19B clade corresponds with possible convergent evolution

SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus
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Resurgence of SARS-CoV-2 19B clade corresponds with possible convergent evolution

Cassia Wagner1, Emma Hodcroft,2, Sidney M. Bell3, Richard Neher4, Trevor Bedford1

1 Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, WA, USA
2 Institute of Social Preventative Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
3 Chan Zuckerburg Initiative, CA, USA
4 Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland

Abstract: Clade 19B viruses which had largely disappeared from circulation have slightly increased in frequency in December 2020 and January 2021. Here we explore the genetic composition of viruses currently circulating in 19B. We find multiple recent clusters and numerous examples of convergent evolution in the spike protein, which may contribute to its increasing frequency.

Report at: https://nextstrain.org/groups/blab/narratives/ncov/19B/2020-02-16

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These are currently in the Pango designation issue list having been identified by the generators of the sequences:

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New lineages now tagged as A.27 and A.28, thanks to Etienne for posting the issues on the pango-designation repo!

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