Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 spread in Scotland highlights the role of European travel in COVID-19 emergence
Authors: Filipe Ana da Silva , Shepherd James , Williams Thomas , Hughes Joseph , Aranday-Cortes Elihu , Asamaphan Patawee , Balcazar Carlos , Brunker Kirstyn , Carmichael Stephen , Dewar Rebecca , Gallagher Michael D. , Gunson Rory , Ho Antonia , Jesudason Natasha , Johnson Natasha , Leitch E Carol McWilliam , Li Kathy , MacLean Alasdair , Mair Daniel , McDonald Sarah E. , McHugh Martin , Nichols Jenna , Niebel Marc , Nomikou Kyriaki , Orton Richard J , O’Toole Áine , Palmarini Massimo , Parr Yasmin A. , Rambaut Andrew , Rooke Stefan , Shaaban Sharif , Shah Rajiv , Singer Joshua B. , Smollett Katherine , Starinskij Igor , Tong Lily , Vattipally Sreenu , Wastnedge Elizabeth , Robertson David L , Holden Matthew T.G. , Templeton Kate , Thomson Emma C. 
Published: June 2020

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and spread rapidly throughout the world. Understanding the introductions of this new coronavirus in different settings may assist control efforts and the establishment of frameworks to support rapid response in future infectious disease outbreaks.

We investigated the first four weeks of emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Scotland after the first case reported on the 1st March 2020. We obtained full genome sequences from 452 individuals with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, representing 20% of all cases until 1st April 2020 (n=2310). This permitted a genomic epidemiology approach to study the introductions and spread of the SARS-2 virus in Scotland.

From combined phylogenetic and epidemiological analysis, we estimated at least 113 introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into Scotland during this period. Clusters containing multiple sequences suggestive of onward transmission occurred in 48/86 (56%). 42/86 (51%) clusters had no known international travel history indicating undetected introductions.

The majority of viral sequences were most closely related to those circulating in other European countries, including Italy, Austria and Spain. Travel-associated introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into Scotland predated travel restrictions in the UK and other European countries. The first local transmission occurred three days after the first case. A shift from travel-associated to sustained community transmission was apparent after only 11 days. Undetected introductions occurred prior to the first known case of COVID-19. Earlier travel restrictions and quarantine measures might have resulted in fewer introductions into Scotland, thereby reducing the number of cases and the subsequent burden on health services. The high number of introductions and transmission rates were likely to have impacted on national contact tracing efforts. Our results also demonstrate that local real-time genomic epidemiology can be used to monitor transmission clusters and facilitate control efforts to restrict the spread of COVID-19.

Funding

MRC (MC UU 1201412), UKRI/Wellcome (COG-UK), Wellcome Trust Collaborator Award (206298/Z/17/Z – ARTIC Network; TCW Wellcome Trust Award 204802/Z/16/Z

Research in context

Evidence before this study

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) was first diagnosed in Scotland on the 1st of March 2020 following the emergence of the causative severe acute respiratory system coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus in China in December 2019. During the first month of the outbreak in Scotland, 2310 positive cases of COVID-19 were detected, associated with 1832 hospital admissions, 207 intensive care admissions and 126 deaths. The number of introductions into Scotland and the source of those introductions was not known prior to this study.

Added value of this study

Using a combined phylogenetic and epidemiological approach following real-time next generation sequencing of 452 SARS-CoV-2 samples, it was estimated that the virus was introduced to Scotland on at least 113 occasions, mostly from other European countries, including Italy, Austria and Spain. Localised outbreaks occurred in the community across multiple Scottish health boards, within healthcare facilities and an international conference and community transmission was established rapidly, before local and international lockdown measures were introduced.