What is already known about this topic? B.1.526 emerged in November 2020 as a SARS-CoV-2 Variants of interest in New York City (NYC). The presence of the E484K mutation is concerning because it has been shown to attenuate antibody neutralization in vitro.

What is added by this report? The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene analyzed laboratory and epidemiologic data to characterize cases of B.1.526 infection and the associated potential for breakthrough infection and reinfection. Preliminary evidence suggests that, to date, B.1.526 does not lead to more severe disease or increased risk for infection after vaccination.

What are the implications for public health practice? Rapid integration of whole genome sequencing and population-based Surveillance data is critical to characterizing new SARS-CoV-2 Variantss.

Recent studies have documented the emergence and rapid growth of B.1.526, a novel Variants of interest (VOI) of SARS-CoV-2, the Virus that causes COVID-19, in the New York City (NYC) area after its identification in NYC in November 2020 (1–3). Two predominant subclades within the B.1.526 lineage have been identified, one containing the E484K mutation in the receptor-binding domain (1,2), which attenuates in vitro neutralization by multiple SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and is present in Variantss of concern (VOCs) first identified in South Africa (B.1.351) (4) and Brazil (P.1).* The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) analyzed laboratory and epidemiologic data to characterize cases of B.1.526 infection, including illness severity, Transmission to close contacts, rates of possible reinfection, and laboratory-diagnosed breakthrough infections among vaccinated persons. Preliminary data suggest that the B.1.526 Variants does not lead to more severe disease and is not associated with increased risk for infection after vaccination (breakthrough infection) or reinfection. Because relatively few specimens were sequenced over the study period, the statistical power might have been insufficient to detect modest differences in rates of uncommon outcomes such as breakthrough infection or reinfection. Collection of timely viral genomic data for a larger proportion of citywide cases and rapid integration with population-based Surveillance data would enable improved understanding of the impact of emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variantss and specific mutations to help guide public health intervention efforts.

Suggested citation for this article: Thompson CN, Hughes S, Ngai S, et al. Rapid Emergence and Epidemiologic Characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.526 Variant — New York City, New York, January 1–April 5, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 5 May 2021

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