Here's the latest variant picture for the XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus" variant.
Globally, India (87%) is still the hotspot, with the frequency continuing to rise.
Steady growth has been reported by many countries, notably Singapore (29%) and Australia (19%)
Starting from the robust platform of XBB.1, XBB.1.16 adds the Spike E180V and K478R mutations. Sub-lineage XBB.1.16.1 is included, which adds a Spike T547I mutation.
Here are the leading countries in Asia reporting XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus", excluding India.
Singapore (29%), China (28%) and Thailand (24%) are the hotspots. Brunei (34%) has not reported for several weeks.
Here are the leading US states reporting XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus".
Virginia (23%) and New Jersey (19%) are still the hotspots, closely followed by California (14%) and New York (13%) - all on similar growth trajectories.
Note samples from incoming travellers made up the majority of sequences from the US initially, but that has flipped during April and now the majority of reported cases are "local".
In the Oceania region, XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus" is growing steadily in both Australia (19%) and New Zealand (12%), on a similar trajectory.
Note the 2nd-largest state in Australia - Victoria - has not shared any samples for over a month, the dismal routine.
Here are the leading countries in Europe reporting XBB.1.16.* "Arcturus".
Ireland (14%), Sweden (9%) and Switzerland (7%) are the hotspots.
Interactive genomic sequencing dataviz, code, acknowledgements and more info here:
https://github.com/Mike-Honey/covid-19-genomes#readme
🧵 ends
Mike Honey