VEO submits the second report on mutations and variation in publicly shared SARS-CoV-2 raw sequencing data.
In its second report to the European Commission, VEO Consortium members summarize mobilisation and analysis of SARS-CoV-2 sequence data submitted to the European COVID-19 Data Platform in the context of the VEO project, which aims to develop tools and data analytics for pandemic and outbreak preparedness.
Summary:
- Update on mobilisation of raw reads, now totaling sequencing data sets from 354,106 viral isolates from 60 countries, a 17% increase since the previous report (16 Feb. 2021).
- The majority of data submitted is from a limited number of countries (UK and USA).
- With the exception of the UK, there is a considerable delay in uploading data to the ENA. The majority of uploads deposited from 4 Jan. 2021 to 4 Mar. 2021 was from samples throughout 2020.
- The analysis of recently submitted data with recent sampling dates shows the ability to detect variants of concern in the raw sequence data.
- To make optimal use of the EU open data effort, member states need to be encouraged to start sharing raw sequence data as timely as possible.