Background The rise of new SARS-CoV-2 variants worldwide requires global molecular surveillance strategies to support public health control. Early detection and evaluation of their associated risk of spreading within the population are pivotal. Methods Between April 2020 and February 2021, the UK Lighthouse Labs Network at Alderley Park tested more than eight million nose and throat swab samples for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, via PCR. The assay targeted three genomic regions of the virus: N , Orf1ab and S . Whole-genome next-generation sequencing was used to confirm positive PCR results. Positive results were mapped using the postal district origin of samples to allow real-time tracking of the spread of a new variant through the UK. Findings In mid-November 2020, the assay identified an increasing number of S gene negative, N and Orf1ab positive samples. Whole-genome sequencing demonstrated that the loss of S gene detection was due to the appearance of a SARS-CoV-2 lineage (B.1.1.7) designated as Variant of concern (VOC) 202012/01. By the beginning of January 2021, the new SARS-CoV-2 VOC comprised 70% of daily positive samples tested at Alderley Park and ∼98% by the end of February 2021. Interpretation The timeline view identified the rapid spread of the new SARS-CoV-2 variant across England during the first three weeks of December. Coupling high-throughput diagnostics and molecular surveillance was pivotal to the early detection of the spread of this variant. The availability of real-time tracking of an emerging variant is an important new tool to inform decision-making authorities for risk mitigation. In a respiratory pandemic, a tool for the timely response to the emergence and spread of a novel variant is vital, even more so when a variant is associated with the enhanced transmission, as has occurred with VOC 202012/01.

Lighthouse Labs network tests for the presence of RNA of SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. The Thermofisher TaqPath assay targets three regions of SARS-CoV-2; ORF1ab, N and S-genes. The assay identified a drop in S-gene target detection among positive samples due to the circulation of a new SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern (VOC) designated as 202012/01. By end of December 2020, 60% of daily positive test results at Alderley Park Lighthouse Labs, were linked to the new Variant of Concern. This timeline view identifies the rapid spread of the variant across the country.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection globally. Investigating HPV awareness can reduce the burden of HPV-related cancers. Aims: (1) Assessing HPV awareness and knowledge among health college students at King Saud University, (2) comparing these outcomes across sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted from November to December 2022 and included 403 health college students. Associations of HPV awareness and knowledge with sociodemographic characteristics were assessed using logistic regression analysis and linear regression analysis, respectively. Results: Only 60% of students were aware of HPV, with awareness higher among females, although their knowledge scores were comparable to males. The odds of awareness of HPV were greater among medical students compared to other colleges and among students belonging to older age groups compared to the younger age group (18–20). The odds of HPV awareness among hepatitis B vaccinated students were 2.10 times that among unvaccinated students (AOR = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.21, 3.64). Conclusions: The low level of HPV awareness among college students warrants the need for HPV educational campaigns to improve HPV awareness and to promote HPV vaccination in the community.

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