Mapping the coronavirus genome in Brazil

A recent study led by Oxford University involving 15 Brazilian institutions mapped the genome of 427 coronavirus samples across Latin America. The research proves that social distancing has lowered the contagion rate of the virus — though it was not enough to prevent a major healthcare crisis as was seen in Peru. With 2.2 million infections and 84,000 deaths, Brazil is the second-worst-affected country in the world; only the U.S. has recorded more deaths and infections.

Researchers also claimed that the coronavirus was imported to Brazil by over 100 different infected individuals. And while hundreds of strains have been detected since the start of the pandemic, 76 percent of cases were caused by only three of these strains. This is positive news, according to Ester Sabino, a scientist at the University of São Paulo’s Medical School. “In the case of Brazil, a vaccine should be effective because the virus hasn’t mutated too much,” she told news website G1.

Brazil and coronavirus vaccines

Brazilian health regulator Anvisa has cleared human trials for three potential vaccines. Two of them have already shown promising results. Earlier this week, we showed where Brazil stands in the race for a coronavirus vaccine (read now, for premium subscribers).

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