Genetics of COVID-19 pandemics

Abstract

The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection is due not only to the biology of this easily transmissible virus, but also to the increased mobility of the global population and the speed of international transport. From a historical perspective, viral pandemics have already occurred in modern times, were caused by the virus switching to humans from an animal reservoir and also affected hundreds of millions of inhabitants of the earth. Thanks to the advancements of molecular diagnostics and new sequencing methods, we are witnessing an ongoing assessment of the epidemic state of individual populations, and the rapid evolution of the virus. The impact of these medical achievements on the course of the pandemic itself has remained moderate. The most successful in control of pandemics were geographically isolated Australia and New Zealand, which simply closed their external borders and introduced months of restrictions for citizens. Vaccines against COVID-19 have been developed that following rapid clinical tests were approved for use. Their protective effect against severe illness is beyond doubt. However, the next wave of COVID-19 infections is sweeping more countries, only that the demographic structure of patients is changing, whose younger age and well-being gave a delusion of innate immunity.