The genomic surveillance report released by the Ministry of Health of the Nation indicated that the Gamma variant – known in the first instance as Manaus – is the one that predominates in the country. According to the 1,077 samples of people with no history of travel to an international destination sequenced by the Malbrán Institute, the prevailing variants of COVID-19 are Gamma in 41%; Andean (Lambda) with 37% and The British (Alpha) with 14%.
The analysis indicated that throughout the country – of the total of the samples sequenced – about 52% correspond to variants of concern. On the other hand, from January to June 14, genomic sequencing was carried out on 248 samples of travelers who entered the country and had positive results. In 89 cases, the Gamma variant of concern was found in travelers who entered from Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Paraguay.
In 55 cases in which the Alpha variant was isolated (United Kingdom) travelers came from the United States, Mexico, Spain, Bangladesh, Panama and Paraguay.The most worrying variants worldwide today, the Delta (India) and Beta (South Africa) were registered twice, once in a traveler from the United States and in another from Spain respectively.
