SARS-CoV-2 sequencing for public health impact.

PUBLIC health surveillance; PATHOLOGICAL laboratories; COVID-19; SEQUENCE analysis; GENETIC mutation; PUBLIC health; CONTINUING education units; COLLECTION & preservation of biological specimens

The article focuses on the sequencing of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), for public health impact. Topics include the development of the tools needed to address SARS-CoV-2; the need of the continued vigilance as the frequency and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 transitions from a pandemic to endemic state; and the use of the outpatient SARS-CoV-2 variant surveillance to inform public health efforts to identify changes in SARS-CoV-2 strains in local communities.