Here's the latest variant picture for Argentina.

XBB.1.5.* "Kraken" seems to be dominant for now. The new EG.5.* "Eris" variant has been detected a couple of times.

The sample volumes are very low and a bit patchy - perhaps representative up to July 7.

#COVID19 #Argentina #XBB_1_5 #Kraken #EG_5 #Eris

Interactive genomic sequencing dataviz, code, acknowledgements and more info here:
https://github.com/Mike-Honey/covid-19-genomes#readme

Here's the latest variant picture for the new "FLip" variant GK.2.

The leading countries reporting GK.2 are Spain (11%) and Italy (7%).

GK.2 is from the XBB.1.5.* "Kraken" clan; GK is an alias for XBB.1.5.70.1. XBB.1.5.70 added the adjacent Spike L455F and F456L mutations, hence the "FLip" nickname. GK.2 adds the Spike V511I mutation.

Yunlong Cao explained the advantage of this pair of mutations here:
https://twitter.com/yunlong_cao/status/1687879512237993986?s=20

HT Raj Rajnarayanan (https://twitter.com/RajlabN) for the clever "FLip" nickname.

Sample volumes from many countries are now very thin and patchy, leading to some variations.

#COVID19 #FLip #GK_2 #XBB_1_5 #Kraken

Here's the latest variant picture for New Zealand.

XBB.1.5.* "Kraken" (28%) has rebounded to overtake CH.1.1.* "Orthrus" (25%). XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus" (16%) and XBB.1.9.* "Hyperion" (19%) are still significant.

The new EG.5.* variant (5%) is present and growing, but is not significant yet.

The vigorous mix of variants implies increased immediate reinfection risks for those relying on immunity from a prior infection. Every variant is a minority of the recent samples.

The sample volumes seem representative up to July 10.

#COVID19 #NZ #XBB_1_5 #Kraken #CH_1_1 #Orthrus #XBB_1_16 #Arcturus #XBB_1_9 #Hyperion
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Here's the latest variant picture for Victoria.

XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus" (34%) is taking it's turn to dominate, following XBB.1.9.* "Hyperion" (24%).

XBB.1.5.* "Kraken" (13%) has been declining steadily.

The mix of very different variants poses a raised immediate re-infection risk for anyone relying on natural immunity from a recent infection.

#COVID19 #Australia #VIC #Melbourne #XBB_1_16 #Arcturus #XBB_1_9 #Hyperion #XBB_1_5 #Kraken @auscovid19
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Here's the latest variant picture for Queensland, Australia.

It's difficult to interpret as sample volumes are very low and patchy. There's a lengthy gap where <10 samples were shared, between May 13 and May 24.

XBB.1.9.* "Hyperion" (24%) may have returned to dominance. It looks like the many sub-lineages including EG.* and FL.* are making a contribution

#COVID19 #QLD #Brisbane #XBB_1_16 #Arcturus #XBB_1_9 #Hyperion #XBB_1_5 #Kraken @auscovid19

Interactive genomic sequencing dataviz, code, acknowledgements and more info here:
https://github.com/Mike-Honey/covid-19-genomes#readme

Here's the latest variant picture for South Australia.

The "Deltacron" XBC.1.6 variant (35%) has been dominant since early April - a unique scenario globally.

95% of the XBC.* samples shared recently have come from Australia, and South Australia and Western Australia are the only states where it is anywhere near dominant.

The South Australians being infected with XBC.1.6 have a raised immediate re-infection risk should they rely on natural immunity when encountering all the other variants circulating in Australia and globally.

XBB.1.16 "Arcturus" (14%) looks like the next challenger, although it is only making slow progress so far. Be alert for conjunctivitis symptoms, which seem more common with that variant.

The sample volumes seem representative up to June 5.

#COVID19 #Australia #SA #Adelaide #XBC_1_6 #XBB_1_5 #Kraken @auscovid19

Interactive genomic sequencing dataviz, code, acknowledgements and more info here:
https://github.com/Mike-Honey/covid-19-genomes#readme

Here's the latest variant picture for New South Wales, Australia.

XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus" (32%) is taking it's turn to dominate, following XBB.1.9.* "Hyperion" (25%).

XBB.1.5.* "Kraken" (14%) has been declining steadily.

Be alert for conjunctivitis symptoms, particularly associated with the Arcturus variant.

The mix of very different variants poses a raised immediate re-infection risk for anyone relying on natural immunity from a recent infection.

The sample volumes seem representative up to June 5.

#COVID19 #Australia #NSW #Sydney #XBB_1_9 #Hyperion #XBB_1_5 #Kraken #XBB_1_16 #Arcturus @auscovid19

Interactive genomic sequencing dataviz, code, acknowledgements and more info here:
https://github.com/Mike-Honey/covid-19-genomes#readme

Here's the latest variant picture for Victoria.

XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus" (34%) is taking it's turn to dominate, following XBB.1.9.* "Hyperion" (24%).

XBB.1.5.* "Kraken" (12%) has been declining steadily.

Be alert for conjunctivitis symptoms, particularly associated with the Arcturus variant.

The mix of very different variants poses a raised immediate re-infection risk for anyone relying on natural immunity from a recent infection.

The sample volumes seem representative up to June 5.

#COVID19 #Australia #VIC #Melbourne #XBB_1_9 #Hyperion #XBB_1_5 #Kraken #XBB_1_16 #Arcturus @auscovid19

Interactive genomic sequencing dataviz, code, acknowledgements and more info here:
https://github.com/Mike-Honey/covid-19-genomes#readme

Here's the latest variant picture for Western Australia.

The XBC.* Deltacron variant clan (31%) appears to have surged to dominance, although recent samples are a bit patchy.

You could throw a blanket over XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus" (20%), XBB.1.9.* "Hyperion" (19%) and CH.1.1.* "Orthrus" (17%) variants.

XBB.1.5.* "Kraken" (9%) is still significant, along with XBB.2.3.* "Acrux" (9%).

The variant mix in WA continues to be uniquely chaotic, reflecting its situation as a global crossroads. Even WA residents who've been racking up regular reinfections are likely to meet new variants capable of overcoming their immunity. Four variants are at 17%+ frequency, with another two around 10%.

The sample volumes seem representative up to May 16.

#COVID19 #Australia #WA #Perth #XBC #Deltacron #XBB_1_9 #Hyperion #XBB_1_5 #Kraken #XBB_1_16 #Arcturus #CH_1_1 #Orthrus @auscovid19
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Here's the latest variant picture for Switzerland.

XBB.1.5.* "Kraken" (42%) and XBB.1.9.* "Hyperion" (37%) have been dueling for dominance.

XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus" (23%) is rising sharply, and will be the next to challenge.

Be alert for conjunctivitis symptoms, particularly associated with the Arcturus variant.

The mix of very different variants poses a raised immediate re-infection risk for anyone relying on natural immunity from a recent infection.

The sample volumes seem representative up to May 5.

#COVID19 #Switzerland #XBB_1_16 #Arcturus #XBB_1_5 #Kraken #XBB_1_9 #Hyperion

Interactive genomic sequencing dataviz, code, acknowledgements and more info here:
https://github.com/Mike-Honey/covid-19-genomes#readme

Here's the latest variant picture for the United Kingdom.

XBB.1.5.* "Kraken" (40%) has been declining steadily.

The challenge from XBB.1.9.* "Hyperion" (24%) appears to be fading.

XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus" (22%) has been growing steadily.

Be alert for conjunctivitis symptoms, particularly associated with the Arcturus variant.

The mix of very different variants poses a raised immediate re-infection risk for anyone relying on natural immunity from a recent infection.

The sample volumes seem somewhat representative up to May 18, although the volume appears to be declining, unfortunately.

#COVID19 #UK #XBB_1_5 #Kraken #XBB_1_9 #Hyperion #XBB_1_16 #Arcturus
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Here's the latest variant picture for Vietnam.

XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus" (60%) has remained dominant.

XBB.1.9.* "Hyperion" (26%) looks like challenging next.

XBB.2.3.* "Acrux" (13%) is also rising.

Be alert for conjunctivitis symptoms, particularly associated with the Arcturus variant.

The mix of very different variants poses a raised immediate re-infection risk for anyone relying on natural immunity from a recent infection.

The sample volume has declined, and the available data is only up to May 7.

#COVID19 #Vietnam #XBB_1_16 #Arcturus #XBB_1_5 #Kraken #XBB_2_3 #Acrux

Interactive genomic sequencing dataviz, code, acknowledgements and more info here:
https://github.com/Mike-Honey/covid-19-genomes#readme

Here's the latest variant picture for Thailand.

XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus" (47%) is now dominant over XBB.1.9.* "Hyperion" (26%) and XBB.1.5.* "Kraken" (19%).

Be alert for conjunctivitis symptoms, particularly associated with the Arcturus variant.

The mix of very different variants poses a raised immediate re-infection risk for anyone relying on natural immunity from a recent infection.

The sample volumes seem representative up to May 16.

#COVID19 #Thailand #XBB_1_16 #Arcturus #XBB_1_9 #Hyperion #XBB_1_5 #Kraken

Interactive genomic sequencing dataviz, code, acknowledgements and more info here:
https://github.com/Mike-Honey/covid-19-genomes#readme

Here's the latest variant picture for Queensland, Australia.

XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus" (32%) has surged to dominance.

The XBB.1.9.* "Hyperion" (24%) and XBB.1.5.* "Kraken" (19%) variants are still significant.

The "Deltacron" XBC.* variant (11%) and CH.1.1.* "Orthrus" (14%) are still in the frame.

Be alert for conjunctivitis symptoms, particularly associated with the Arcturus variant.

The vigorous mix of very different variants poses a raised immediate re-infection risk for anyone relying on natural immunity from a recent infection.

The sample volumes seem representative up to May 3. There are almost no sequences shared since that date - hopefully only a temporary bottleneck.

#COVID19 #QLD #Brisbane #XBB_1_16 #Arcturus #XBB_1_9 #Hyperion #XBB_1_5 #Kraken @auscovid19

Interactive genomic sequencing dataviz, code, acknowledgements and more info here:
https://github.com/Mike-Honey/covid-19-genomes#readme

Here's the latest variant picture for New South Wales.

XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus" (29%) continues to battle XBB.1.9.* "Hyperion" (28%) for dominance.

XBB.1.5.* "Kraken" (18%) has been declining steadily, but is still significant.

Be alert for conjunctivitis symptoms, particularly associated with the Arcturus variant.

The vigorous mix of very different variants poses a raised immediate re-infection risk for anyone relying on natural immunity from a recent infection.

The sample volumes seem somewhat representative up to May 25, although the volume appears to be declining, unfortunately.

#COVID19 #NSW #Sydney #XBB_1_9 #Hyperion #XBB_1_16 #Arcturus #XBB_1_5 #Kraken @auscovid19
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Here's the latest variant picture for the United States.

The sequencing volume is ~5X lower, after the ending of the public health emergency, so the picture is less clear.

The XBB.1.5.* "Kraken" clan (53%) is still dominant.

The leading challengers are XBB.1.9.* "Hyperion" (20%) and XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus" (14%).

The rise of new variants to significant levels implies increased reinfection risks, for those relying on immunity from a prior infection.

#COVID19 #USA #XBB_1_5 #Kraken #XBB_1_9 #Hyperion #XBB_1_16 #Arcturus

Here's the latest variant picture for New South Wales.

XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus" (28%) has closed the gap with XBB.1.9.* "Hyperion" (30%) as they battle for dominance.

XBB.1.5.* "Kraken" (20%) has been declining steadily, but is still significant.

The vigorous mix of very different variants poses a raised immediate re-infection risk for anyone relying on natural immunity from a recent infection.

The sample volumes seem somewhat representative up to May 16, although the volume appears to be declining, unfortunately.

#COVID19 #NSW #Sydney #XBB_1_9 #Hyperion #XBB_1_16 #Arcturus #XBB_1_5 #Kraken @auscovid19
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Here's the latest variant picture for the Northern Territory, Australia.

After a gap of over a year, a couple of samples were recently shared from the NT.

The 2 samples are variants that are common elsewhere in Australia - XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus" and XBB.1.5.* "Kraken".

I've been banging on about this for over a year now, so it's great to see data sharing restart. Hopefully that can continue so we get a more accurate picture of the unique mix in this remote area with international air and sea ports.

#COVID19 #Australia #NT #Darwin #XBB_1_5 #Kraken #XBB_1_16 #Arcturus @auscovid19

Interactive genomic sequencing dataviz, code, acknowledgements and more info here:
https://github.com/Mike-Honey/covid-19-genomes#readme

Here's the latest variant picture for Western Australia.

The XBB.1.9.* "Hyperion" clan (31%) is battling with XBB.1.5.* "Kraken" variant (23%) for dominance.

XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus" (20%) is growing quite rapidly. Be alert for conjunctivitis symptoms, which seem more common with that variant.

The variant mix in WA continues to be uniquely chaotic, reflecting it's situation as a global crossroads. Even WA residents who've been racking up regular reinfections are likely to meet globally obscure variants capable of overcoming their immunity.

The sample volumes seem representative up to May 12.

#COVID19 #Australia #WA #Perth #XBB_1_9 #Hyperion #XBB_1_5 #Kraken #XBB_1_16 #Arcturus @auscovid19

Interactive genomic sequencing dataviz, code, acknowledgements and more info here:
https://github.com/Mike-Honey/covid-19-genomes#readme

Here's the latest variant picture for South Australia.

The "Deltacron" XBC.1.6 variant (35%) has been dominant since early April - a unique scenario globally.

95% of the XBC.* samples shared recently have come from Australia, and South Australia seems the only state where it is anywhere near dominant.

XBB.1.16 "Arcturus" (14%) looks like the next challenger. Be alert for conjunctivitis symptoms, which seem more common with that variant.

The sample volumes seem representative up to May 14.

#COVID19 #Australia #SA #Adelaide #XBC_1_6 #XBB_1_5 #Kraken @auscovid19
🧵