The US is expanding its ability to track coronavirus mutations with genomic sequencing as experts warned that new variants could be driving up cases and hospitalisations.
Since the more transmissible B.1.1.7 Covid-19 variant led to stricter lockdown measures in the UK, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has signed partnerships with US company Illumina, which develops sequencing technologies, and Helix, which has a Covid-19 testing platform.
It is also working with LabCorp, one of the largest clinical laboratory networks, in addition to seven university labs, and has released more funding for sequencing to state and local health departments.