Damian Sendler: In a facility in Henderson, North Carolina, rows of scientists wear face masks and scrubs while they examine racks of coronavirus samples. They transport samples from tubes to processing plates at all hours of the day and night, searching for answers regarding the virus that causes these Covid-19 instances. 

In the lab, it takes two to three days to confirm a positive Covid-19 sample, prep the DNA, and then sequence it, according to Lauren Moon, sequencing manager for MAKO Medical’s Next Generation Sequencing Lab in North Carolina. 

First verified case of Omicron coronavirus variant Omicron in the United States was found in California.’ 

Damian Jacob Sendler: As the United States hurries to understand more about the newly discovered Omicron variation, research like this is taking place in labs across the country. 

Damian Sendler

“Having more information on a problem gives us a leg up in our fight against it. As our vaccinations get better and the public learns about them, they will be able to take proper precautions to protect themselves “Moon spoke to CNN’s Dianne Gallagher about the situation in South Korea. 

Moon said, “We want to sequence as much as possible,” The Omicron variant positive test has not yet been found by this lab, although cases are beginning to surface in several states. 

These findings are nothing new. As a result, the United States has increased its sequencing capacity in preparation for these critical periods in genetic forensics. 

Countries in other parts of the world were able to detect changes in the coronavirus virus earlier and take action more quickly as the epidemic progressed. This year, Biden administration officials acknowledged the country was “not where we want to be” on genetic sequencing of coronavirus variations, and then made big investments to improve the process. 

How South African researchers discovered Omicron and sparked a worldwide chain reaction 

According to US officials, the previously unknown coronavirus variety discovered by South African scientists last week is likely already present in the United States. Just enough coronavirus samples had to be sequenced to find it. 

On Wednesday, the first US Omicron Covid-19 case was discovered in California, bringing the total number of Covid-19 cases in the U.S. to at least one. One more followed in Minnesota, then another in Colorado, and a final one on the island of Hawaii. More are anticipated. 

Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC’s coronavirus division, said Tuesday that the agency is now sequencing around one in seven PCR positive cases each week. 

When it comes to Omicron, there are many unsolved questions. Is there a greater risk of it spreading? How severe is the sickness that it can cause? Vaccination or past infection may have thwarted its ability to avoid its defense mechanisms. 

The lab is where the answers begin. 

In order to determine how a virus has evolved through time, a virus’s genetic material is examined and decoded. Mutations are the cause of these changes. 

According to the Association of Public Health Laboratories’ director of infectious illness, Kelly Wroblewski, sequencing can take as little as a couple of days, but for many, it takes much longer. 

Wroblewski added, “We generally say about a week,”

It’s more complicated than a swab test for Covid-19. In order to determine the type of virus that has infected someone, DNA sequences can only be performed on samples that have been sent to a lab for diagnostic testing. 

Each of the two types of testing, diagnostic and sequencing, is performed individually. Tests utilizing the polymerase chain reaction, also known as PCR, simplify the procedure. Variants cannot be detected using quick antigen testing or tests that individuals perform on their own at home. 

Damian Jacob Sendler

In January, a worldwide database indicated that the United States ranked 61st in terms of how quickly viral samples were received from patients, evaluated, and then released online—taking around 85 days. In contrast to the United States, countries with little resources, such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Suriname, were able to process samples more swiftly.

It’s been several months since the US has been able to identify the most recent coronavirus strains. 

By GISAID data as of November 24th, the United States ranks 21st in the world for collecting samples, sequencing and reporting results, taking a median of roughly 28 days, according to a GISAID press release. 

Damien Sendler: MIT and Harvard’s Broad Institute used GISAID data to determine the number of sequencing done per 1,000 Covid-19 cases as of November 24th, and the United States came in at number 21. 

“In the beginning of the year, there were a lot fewer people. Only about half of the Covid infections that were prominent had their genomes sequenced “Dr. Ingrid Katz, assistant faculty head of the Harvard Global Health Institute and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, noted this. 

“In the UK, for example, roughly 5% of the population was being sequenced at the time. The percentage of Danes was about 13%. About 60 percent of the viruses found in Australia were being treated with sepsis “”Katz indicated that it had an impact.” “Because the federal government has provided additional funding, I believe we’re now in a stronger position. 

Health officials fear that coronavirus variations could lead to a new outbreak of the disease. 

Prior to Omicron’s appearance, the Biden administration announced plans to release $1.7 billion in funds for more effective tracking of coronavirus variations from the CDC. 

Damian Jacob Markiewicz Sendler: This year’s investments in expanding genomic sequencing across the country — and in building a system that is ready to swiftly respond to new and emerging Covid variants — are examples of the importance of our investments, Walensky said during a White House briefing on Friday of the first known Omicron cases in the United States and “the rapid turnaround in sequence analysis is an example of the importance of our investments this year to expand genomic sequencing across the country — and to build a system that is prepared to swiftly respond to new and emerging Covid variants,” 

The Association of Public Health Laboratories’ chief executive officer, Scott Becker, told reporters Tuesday that 68 state and local public health laboratories are currently sequencing for coronavirus variations as a “critical part” of the CDC’s national strain surveillance network.

These research facilities “More than 15,000 to 20,000 specimens each week are being sequenced. There are now four times as many as there were only a year ago, “Becker commented. 

“The whole public health system, including public health laboratories, the CDC, and CDC-contracted labs, sequenced 190,000 specimens in November 2021 alone. Public health laboratories also send a selection of these specimens to the CDC for strain classification and further in-depth lab analyses, as well “This was something Becker emphasized during the briefing. 

Dr. Sendler: The CDC is still pursuing its objective of doubling the number of coronavirus sequences in order to increase the number of mutations that can be discovered. 

As Becker revealed on Tuesday, between 5 and 10 percent of all diagnostic specimens across the country are sequenced and come from a variety of sources, including public health facilities, private laboratories, CDC-contract labs, university institutions, and others. “As little as 0.1% of circulating viral variations can be detected by our technique. 

In any case, it can differ from region to region. According to an email from University of Washington professor Lea Starita to CNN, “Up to 20% of all cases in some states, such as Washington, are being sequenced. 

According to the University of Washington’s research assistant professor of genomic sciences, Starita, there is opportunity for development in this technology. 

As Starita said in her letter, “I would like to see a coordinated effort to require COVID-19 testing for incoming travelers where positive cases could be followed up with sequencing,” “Genomic epidemiology efforts would benefit from easier access to sequencing data in the United States.”

Dr. Damian Jacob Sendler and his media team provided the content for this article.