To the Editor: Molecular diagnostics with whole genome sequencing (WGS) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has been well described as a method to monitor the evolving epidemiology of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic and coordinate public health responses.1,2 WGS allows for the accurate identification of COVID‐19 variants, which, when combined with accessible diagnostic testing with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid antigen tests, supports contact tracing and public health action.1,2 Since January 2022, by agreement with the Forensic and Scientific Services reference laboratory, it has been our practice at the Prince Charles Hospital — a tertiary cardiothoracic transplant centre in Brisbane — to sequence all SARS‐CoV‐2 samples of patients requiring hospital admission for COVID‐19. The rapid turnaround times, averaging 36 hours, supported decisions on variant‐specific therapeutics and optimised bed management.
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We thank the Pathology Queensland Laboratories for performing the initial PCR detection for SARS‐CoV‐2 and referral of samples to the Forensic and Scientific Services for sequencing. We also like to thank and acknowledge the Public Health Virology and Microbiology Laboratory and Q‐PHIRE Genomics staff at Forensic and Scientific Services for SARS‐CoV‐2 sequencing.
No relevant disclosures.