Genomic Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in Libya

The COVID-19 epidemic started in Libya March 2020 and rapidly spread. To shed some light on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains circulating Libya, viruses isolated from 10 patients this country were sequenced, characterized at genomic level, compared to genomes other parts of world. As nine out belonged SS1 cluster one SS4, three datasets built. One included only African two contained internationally representative SS4 genomes. Genomic analysis showed that Libyan have peculiar features addition those reported world regions. Considering countries which are genetically more similar strains, SARS-CoV-2 could entered a North (possibly Egypt), sub-Saharan Africa (e.g., Ghana, Mali, Nigeria), Middle East Saudi Arabia), or Asia (India, Bangladesh).