Consolidation of WGS and infrastructure processes in surveillance and outbreak investigation actvities

In the course of the first project round, the focus on national infrastructure and capacity up-scaling enhancing whole genome sequencing (WGS) and/or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and future health threats (HERA) set a solid but challenging basis for the enhancement of processes in national Health Agencies and public analytic facilities. In this follow up project, the consolidation of WGS and RT-PCR activities aiming to ensure the sustainable use and integration of enhanced infrastructure into routine surveillance and outbreak investigation activities, in synergy with relevant on-going work at international level is the key priority. Identified challenges and mid-term aims were identified and will contribute together with the involvement of relevant and high-level stakeholders to a better workflow, enhanced capacity and sustainable and manageable use of the provided infrastructure on the long run.