A recent study from Queen’s University shows how COVID-19 spread in Ireland, helping us understand its origins and future risks.
Belfast: A new study from Queen’s University has mapped how coronavirus spread across Ireland. It used genetic techniques to track the virus’s journey.
The research team analyzed over 29,000 SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected from March 2020 to June 2022. They found out where the virus came from and how it spread.
They looked at six key periods, including the rise of Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants. Most introductions came from England, with some from the U.S. and Northwestern Europe.
Dublin and Belfast saw the highest rates of virus introductions. Interestingly, Delta was more common in Northern Ireland, but infection rates were similar across both regions.
This shows that local transmission played a big role in infection rates. While travel restrictions helped, they didn’t completely stop the spread.
Professor David Simpson led the study. He said their findings can help track virus spread and improve public health responses in future pandemics.
The research involved a team from various disciplines and collaborated with health agencies. They used data from global initiatives to enhance their findings.
