The article discusses the transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7, designated as a variant of concern (VOC) 202012/01 by Public Health England. It highlights that B.1.1.7 spread rapidly in England between November 2020 and January 2021, showing a significant increase in transmissibility compared to non-VOC lineages. The lineage has several mutations, including N501Y and P618H on the spike protein, which may enhance viral infectivity and ACE2 binding. The study also notes that the B.1.1.7 lineage is associated with a higher reproduction number (R), estimated to be 50% to 100% higher than other lineages. The research used whole-genome sequencing data and S gene target failure (SGTF) data from community-based PCR testing to track the spread of B.1.1.7. The SGTF data, which indicates the absence of the S gene in PCR tests, was found to be a reliable biomarker for B.1.1.7. The study found that B.1.1.7 had a higher transmissibility, even when considering different latent periods or generation times. The article also discusses the impact of public health interventions, such as lockdowns, on the transmission dynamics of B.1.1.7. It notes that the transmission advantage of B.1.1.7 declined over time, possibly due to reduced contact rates and changes in human behavior. The study emphasizes the importance of genomic surveillance in tracking emerging variants and highlights the need for global efforts to monitor and control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants.The article discusses the transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7, designated as a variant of concern (VOC) 202012/01 by Public Health England. It highlights that B.1.1.7 spread rapidly in England between November 2020 and January 2021, showing a significant increase in transmissibility compared to non-VOC lineages. The lineage has several mutations, including N501Y and P618H on the spike protein, which may enhance viral infectivity and ACE2 binding. The study also notes that the B.1.1.7 lineage is associated with a higher reproduction number (R), estimated to be 50% to 100% higher than other lineages. The research used whole-genome sequencing data and S gene target failure (SGTF) data from community-based PCR testing to track the spread of B.1.1.7. The SGTF data, which indicates the absence of the S gene in PCR tests, was found to be a reliable biomarker for B.1.1.7. The study found that B.1.1.7 had a higher transmissibility, even when considering different latent periods or generation times. The article also discusses the impact of public health interventions, such as lockdowns, on the transmission dynamics of B.1.1.7. It notes that the transmission advantage of B.1.1.7 declined over time, possibly due to reduced contact rates and changes in human behavior. The study emphasizes the importance of genomic surveillance in tracking emerging variants and highlights the need for global efforts to monitor and control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants.