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Andrew Urquhart

@wolfeagle1989.bsky.social
1.8K followers 272 following 666 posts

PhD in Space Physics. Hobbyist SARS-CoV-2 lineage hunter. I will block trolls, misinformers, and disinformers at my personal discretion.

PostsRepliesMedia
Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I’m concerned about PJ.2.1 descendants especially with S:A475V (now observed) or with S:D420N or S:N487D (neither observed). The preprint www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... from Yunlong Cao’s group noted all 3 mutations as potentials for PJ.2.1, and that group has a track record of good predictions.
biorxiv.org
Increased receptor binding capability of the SARS-CoV-2 saltational variant PJ.2.1
The recently identified SARS-CoV-2 saltational variant PJ.2.1, a highly mutated descendant of MC.10.1, has achieved rapid intercontinental spread since its detection in May 2026. Here, we show that PJ...
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Looking at calibrated WastewaterScan data for 1 station and all 14 TX stations, sadly Texas COVID levels are rising. No one lineage stands out as driving this. Likely drivers are waning immunity, the infernal seasonal heat driving people indoors, and school starting.
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
For a long time, we’ve needed to clean the air like we clean the water. And that became more obvious when COVID vaccines lost effectiveness so quickly in 2021 and 2022. Better late than never, I’m happy to see the Intercept Fund getting going. blog.interceptfund.com/p/ending-res...
blog.interceptfund.com
Ending respiratory infections
Introducing Intercept, a $500M bet to make respiratory infections like colds and flu a thing of the past.
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
As of yesterday, with a merge into the master branch of github.com/nextstrain/n..., SARS-CoV-2 lineage XFG.3.4.1 has been designated Nextstrain clade 26B.
github.com
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
I’m concerned about Jiang et al’s new report of immune cell population impacts for 20 months and counting after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, and I note the authors call out that this wasn’t seen with SARS-CoV-1. See www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti.... h/t AJ Leonardi.
sciencedirect.com
Persistent Attenuation of Lymphocyte Subsets After Mass SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Growing evidence suggests that lymphocyte subsets are declined in COVID-19 patients, but it is unclear if these alterations persist after widespread e…
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Reposted by Andrew Urquhart
JPWeiland @jpweiland.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
GISAID is now blocking genomic sequencing access to critical resources like Nextstrain, Covspectrum, Outbreak-info, & others. This makes us less safe, as live tracking of viral evolution remains critical for assessment of emerging threats. This needs to be escalated.
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
The US Government shutdown is already disrupting air traffic in the USA. And if the shutdown doesn’t end, a program to provide air service to smaller communities runs out of money this coming Sunday. Source: www.wfaa.com/article/synd....
wfaa.com
Transportation secretary says government shutdown adds stress on air traffic controllers
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the government shutdown is putting more stress on air traffic controllers who already have an extremely stressful job.
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
How is this going to play in farm country in the USA where Trump was so popular? From Fortune via MSN, “Farmer says ‘we’re in a very dire situation’ ahead of harvest—with zero soybean orders from China, historically the largest buyer” www.msn.com/en-us/money/...
msn.com
MSN
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
Recent Pango lineage designation note updates such as github.com/cov-lineages... brought my attention to the emergence of the N.iORF3 aka N*M210 aka N* extended Transcription Regulation Sequence (TRS-B) enhancing mutations A28877T, G28878C several times in XFG. (1/3)
github.com
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
From The Atlantic, “COVID Revisionism Has Gone Too Far” www.msn.com/en-us/news/w... And the pendulum swings…
msn.com
MSN
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
A question: How is requiring posting of the Ten Commandments in Texas public school classrooms consistent with Article 1, Section 6 of the Texas Constitution: “no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious society or mode of worship.” statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CN/htm/...?
statutes.capitol.texas.gov
THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 1. BILL OF RIGHTS
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
This is interesting: A second COVID protein, the main protease, triggers blood clotting. This protein is *not* in vaccines used in developed countries, but it is highly conserved in coronaviruses including common cold coronaviruses. Ref Pagotto et al, www.nature.com/articles/s42....
nature.com
The main protease (Mpro) from SARS-CoV-2 triggers plasma clotting in vitro by activating coagulation factors VII and FXII - Communications Biology
SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) directly activates coagulation by cleaving factors VII and XII, showing a broader protease specificity and revealing a novel mechanism linking COVID-19 infection to thr...
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
Don’t miss that *influenza* awakens dormant cancer cells in lungs (Chia et al, “Respiratory viral infections awaken metastatic breast cancer cells in lungs”, Nature (2025), www.nature.com/articles/s41...). Maybe we need to be more concerned about *all* respiratory viruses.
nature.com
Respiratory viral infections awaken metastatic breast cancer cells in lungs - Nature
Mouse models show that respiratory infections from viruses such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2 can trigger metastasis of dormant breast cancer cells in the lungs, a finding supported by epidemiological d...
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
America, we may be approaching a Strauss-Howe “second regeneracy”. Current Republican vs Democrat, rural vs urban polarization may be changing to alignment by accountability vs impunity, justice vs exploitation, for vs against release of the Epstein Files. 1/6
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
SARS-CoV-2 isn’t the only neurotropic betacoronavirus. Common cold human betacoronavirus OC43 is also neurotropic. Reference Arbour et al, "Neuroinvasion by human respiratory coronaviruses", Journal of Virology (2000), doi.org/10.1128/jvi.....
doi.org
Neuroinvasion by Human Respiratory Coronaviruses | Journal of Virology
ABSTRACT Human coronaviruses (HCoV) cause common colds but can also infect neural cell cultures. To provide definitive experimental evidence for the neurotropism and neuroinvasion of HCoV and its possible association with multiple sclerosis (MS), we have ...
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 06/07/2025
Recently I’ve been examining the question “On a per-case basis for the same acute severity, is the rate of post-acute cognitive or neurological syndromes, or post-acute syndromes in general, significantly higher after COVID than after other infectious illnesses such as flu?” 1/8
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
If this trend continues, it could be huge. If Republicans start losing Texas, they probably can’t win the Presidency. And this might also put pressure on Texas’s Senate seats. www.newsweek.com/donald-trump...
newsweek.com
Donald Trump's approval rating goes negative in Texas
A new poll delivered a warning sign to Republicans about Trump's approval in the Lone Star State.
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Reposted by Andrew Urquhart
Nick Knudsen @nickknudsenus.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
FINALLY Democrats are putting out HARD-HITTING ads. WATCH AND SHARE: #MAGAKidnappers
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Reposted by Andrew Urquhart
Josette Schoenmakers @josetteschoenma.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Actually, from the last period that was not nowcasted, 26th of April - 10th of May, there are 815 non GBW samples on GISAID. Of those 28 were NB.1.8.1*, 64 XFG* and only 5 XFC*. California had 16 NB.1.8.1*, 7 XFG* New York City, 3 NB.1.8.1, 53 XFG* So, the region matters! New
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Newsweek headline “Why Are So Many Children Getting Long COVID?” www.newsweek.com/why-are-so-m... I’m old enough to remember when the general public was assured that COVID wouldn’t harm children. Apparently that assurance was false.
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 08/06/2025
Los Angeles, all protesters need to stay peaceful no matter the provocation. The Administration is likely trying to provoke violence. Don’t give it to them. Model your inner MLK Jr, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela. Heed Robert Reich in this article www.msn.com/en-us/news/p....
msn.com
MSN
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
I recommend paying attention to NB.1.8.1 “Nimbus” while not ignoring XFG. After a long relative lull, world probably has at least 2 rising variants which may battle especially in Europe and the Americas.
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 31/05/2025
As NB.1.8.1 “Nimbus” and XFG rise, people need to realize the risk of COVID-induced organ damage in all ages. This graphic is from Ewing et al, “Review of organ damage from COVID and Long COVID: a disease with a spectrum of pathology”, Medical Review (2024), www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi....
Figure 1 from Ewing et al:

10-30% Long COVID

50% (even as high as 70%) organ damage (both children and adults)

Brain: loss of white and grey matter, disruption of blood-brain barrier, loss of learning/memory ability and cognition, autonomic nervous system, ischaemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease

Heart: Reduced blood oxygen, disruption of chronically inflamed atherosclerotic plaques, infection of coronary vessels, ischaemia, heart attack

Endocrine system: direct effects on tissues through ACE2 binding, type 1 and 2 diabetes, Cushing’s syndrome, thyroid disease, reproductive hormone changes, fertility, disrupted menstrual cycle, adrenal insufficiency

Immune system: T-cells, B-cells, dendritic cells, monocytes, platelets

Endothelial cells and blood vessels: Formation of microthrombi (microclots), effects on all major organ systems: lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, muscle
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 31/05/2025
As NB.1.8.1 “Nimbus” and XFG rise, despite the gaslighting propaganda yes children can be impacted especially by post-acute illness. This graphic is from Gross et al, “Long COVID in Young Children, School-Aged Children, and Teens”, JAMA Pediatrics (2025), jamanetwork.com/journals/jam....
A graphic of Long COVID symptoms in children by age group
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
US legacy national news network CBS has a story up on COVID variant NB.1.8.1. www.cbsnews.com/news/us-repo...
cbsnews.com
U.S. reports cases of new COVID variant NB.1.8.1 behind surge in China
Authorities in Hong Kong say COVID-19 levels are the worst in at least a year.
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Reposted by Andrew Urquhart
Federico Gueli @siamosolocani.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Sars cov 2 variant update: In this week @corneliusroemer.bsky.social and XZ spotted a couple of lineages with very divergent spikes:
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
Designation of lineage NB.1.8.1 as Nextstrain Clade 25B has been merged to the main branch. I would consider this the official designation of Clade 25B. See github.com/nextstrain/n....
github.com
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
I’m looking more deeply at SARS-CoV-2 lineage XFG since it appears it might be growing. It has two branches: a minor one with S:H445P and a major one with S:H445R. The 445R branch also has a subbranch with ORF1b:K2557R which from Bloom and Neher estimates may be significant. 1/6
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
Texas #measles cases from the West Texas outbreak are up to 597 with 62 hospitalized. Source Dallas’s WFAA local news www.wfaa.com/article/news.... Note that the Collin County exposures maybe from a resident of a different county, and there is a known case in an adjacent county.
wfaa.com
Person with measles visited three North Texas stores while still infectious, officials warn
A person who tested positive for measles visited three stores in Plano over a two-day period.
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
And the West Texas #measles outbreak may have spread to Dallas-Fort Worth. From Dallas’s WFAA local news. www.wfaa.com/article/news...
wfaa.com
Measles case reported in Rockwall County may be connected to West Texas outbreak, officials say
A confirmed case of measles was identified in Rockwall County, health officials said. The case may be connected to the outbreak in West Texas.
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
20 more #measles cases in the Texas outbreak since April 11. That’s a total of 561 with 58 hospitalized. Source: Texas Department of State Health Services www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/...
dshs.texas.gov
Measles Outbreak – April 15, 2025 | Texas DSHS
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Reposted by Andrew Urquhart
Kelly @broadwaybabyto.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Stop saying “post covid”. People are confusing the end of the public health emergency with the end of the pandemic. The pandemic is not over. “During COVID” is now. If we want to end it, we need to first acknowledge this fact. Then mask up, clean the air & develop better vaccines & treatments.
bmj.com
Suggesting the world is “post COVID” contributes to an unwitting shift in research priorities
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
It’s early and hard to really tell, but I’m getting concerned about recombinant lineage XFJ designated yesterday 2 April 2025. Why? At 8 sequences, reports are from 6 countries on 3 continents with 2 US states all without travelers. It also has a breakpoint in the Spike RBD. 1/3
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
The Texas measles outbreak continues to expand and spread. Reporting from the Associated Press. apnews.com/article/meas... Texas reaches 400 measles cases as US deals with outbreaks in 5 states
apnews.com
Texas reaches 400 measles cases as US deals with outbreaks in 5 states
Texas has reached 400 cases of measles in an outbreak that started two months ago. Texas, New Mexico, Ohio, Kansas and Oklahoma all have active measles outbreaks.
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
I went digging for new actuarial data on COVID-19, and I found this recent post from March 20, 2025. I think this applies specifically to Australia, but patterns may be similar elsewhere. www.actuaries.digital/2025/03/20/c...
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Oklahoma now has 7 confirmed and 2 probable measles cases. Previous probable measles cases have been updated to confirmed. Reporting from Oklahoma City’s 9 News. www.news9.com/story/67e2eb...
news9.com
Oklahoma measles update: 9 measles cases in the state, with 7 confirmed
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) said there are now nine cases of measles among unvaccinated people in Oklahoma, with seven of those cases being confirmed.
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
In the Bloom and Neher estimates, S:H445P is one of the strongest Spike mutations in SARS-CoV-2 clade 24A. But it requires an improbable and slow A->C RNA mutation, so it’s taken time to emerge. 1/2
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
The Texas-New Mexico measles outbreak is now up to 320 cases. www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/t...
nbcdfw.com
Measles cases rise to 320 total in Texas and New Mexico. Here's what you should know
Measles outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico are now up to nearly 320 cases, and two unvaccinated people have died from measles-related causes.
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 15/03/2025
Two more measles cases in Oklahoma linked to the Texas-New Mexico outbreak for a total of four. Reporting by KWTV News 9 Oklahoma City. www.news9.com/story/67d4e7...
news9.com
OSDH reports 2 probable measles cases, potential public exposures
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has identified two additional probable measles cases, the agency announced Friday.
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
In recognition of the fifth anniversary of the COVID International Public Health Emergency declaration and of the upcoming Long COVID Awareness Day, I’ve assembled a series of resources on Long COVID including overviews, presentations from actor Matt McGorry, 1/33
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Four confirmed measles cases in Lamar County, Texas northeast of Dallas on the Oklahoma line after an unvaccinated group traveled to the epicenter of the West Texas outbreak. www.wfaa.com/article/news...
wfaa.com
Four measles cases confirmed by Paris-Lamar health officials
Health officials confirmed four measles cases in unvaccinated individuals in Lamar County.
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
The Texas-New Mexico measles outbreak may have spread to Oklahoma. Cases are not test-confirmed but have symptoms consistent with measles and exposure to the Texas-New Mexico outbreak. Reported by Oklahoma City’s KFOR. kfor.com/news/local/t...
kfor.com
Two probable measles cases reported in Oklahoma
On Tuesday, the Oklahoma State Department of Health said two probable measles cases have been reported in Oklahoma.
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Sad are the days that cry out for the Gray Champion, but happy is the time in those days when the Gray Champion comes again. And now, perhaps, the Gray Champion has come again in the guise of Bernie Sanders. apnews.com/article/bern...
apnews.com
Drawing huge crowds, Bernie Sanders steps into leadership of the anti-Trump resistance
At 83 years old, Bernie Sanders has emerged as an unlikely leader of the Democratic resistance to Donald Trump.
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Possible impacts of DOGE cuts to NOAA and the National Weather Service including how prices for Anericans for access to weather forecasts may rise from the current equivalent of one cup of coffee per year. From CBS Boston. youtu.be/u58Quvi6Gbk
youtu.be
Possible impact of NOAA and NWS cuts: Analysis
YouTube video by CBS Boston
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
How much economic suffering will Americans tolerate after voting for Trump because of the increased price of eggs? “Americans 'Going To Have To Suffer,' Trump Economist Warns” www.msn.com/en-us/news/n...
msn.com
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
Actor Matt McGorry busting COVID myths on Instagram. This video is also apparently available on X and TikTok. www.instagram.com/reel/DGDttsl...
instagram.com
Login • Instagram
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
American workers need to realize they’ve been sold lies, the American left needs to learn to exercise forgiveness and grace, and American Christians need to realize they’ve strayed far from the Gospel. For this all to happen, America may have to hit rock bottom.
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Is “there is nothing we can do about it, so we might as well accept it” fatalism about COVID the gateway drug to “there is nothing we can do about it, so we might as well accept it” fatalism about fascism?
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 25/01/2025
SARS-CoV-2 lineage LP.8.1 (KP.1.1.3.8.1; JN.1.11.1.1.1.3.8.1) has been designated Clade 25A by Nextstrain github.com/nextstrain/n.... (1/3)
github.com
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Andrew Urquhart @wolfeagle1989.bsky.social · 19/01/2025
For my SARS-CoV-2 variant hunter and tracker friends and anyone else who is interested, I’ve just created a GitHub repository github.com/alurqu/sars-... for my files of which mutations occur at least 50% of the time in a lineage as found by my search code.
github.com
GitHub - alurqu/sars-cov-2-lineage-dominant-mutations: Mutations in half or more of sequences for pango-designated SARS-CoV-2 lineages
Mutations in half or more of sequences for pango-designated SARS-CoV-2 lineages - alurqu/sars-cov-2-lineage-dominant-mutations
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