SARS-CoV-2 in the Republic of Guinea: Fragment and Whole-Genome Sequencing, Phylogenetic Analysis

Genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 isolates circulating in the Republic of Guinea in May and June 2020, as well as in March 2021, has been demonstrated using fragment (S gene) and whole genome sequencing of 14 strains. Analysis of nucleotide sequences and phylogenetic constructs make it possible to divide the studied strains into 3 groups. Comparison of the obtained data with the already available epidemiological data proves the initial importation of COVID-19 from Western European countries, and also demonstrates four independent import routes in two time periods (March 2020 and no later than March 2021).