We aimed to analyze the situation of the first two epidemic waves in Myanmar using the publicly available daily situation of COVID-19 and whole-genome sequencing data of SARS-CoV-2. From March 23 to December 31, 2020, there were 33,917 confirmed cases and 741 deaths in Myanmar (case fatality rate of 2.18%). The first wave in Myanmar from March to July was linked to overseas travel, and then a second wave started from Rakhine State, a western border state, leading to the second wave spreading countrywide in Myanmar from August to December 2020. The estimated effective reproductive number ( R t ) nationwide reached 6–8 at the beginning of each wave and gradually decreased as the epidemic spread to the community. The whole-genome analysis of 10 Myanmar SARS-CoV-2 strains together with 31 previously registered strains showed that the first wave was caused by GISAID clade O or PANGOLIN lineage B.6 and the second wave was changed to clade GH or lineage B.1.36.16 with a close genetic relationship with other South Asian strains. Constant monitoring of epidemiological situations combined with SARS-CoV-2 genome analysis is important for adjusting public health measures to mitigate the community transmissions of COVID-19.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Molecular epidemiology, Case fatality rate, community transmission, reproductive number, whole-genome sequences, 【초록키워드】 whole-genome sequencing, Genetic, SARS-CoV-2 genome, Travel, Lineage, Case fatality rate, death, Community, clade, Pangolin lineage, second wave, First wave, GISAID, Strains, epidemic waves, Analysis, strain, epidemic wave, public health measure, confirmed case, situation, public health measures, epidemiological situation, Fatality rate, Registered, constant, South Asian, SARS-CoV-2 strain, whole-genome, mitigate, state, effective, the epidemic, caused, spread to, changed, reached, reproductive, B.6,