Phylogenetic analysis of hCoV-19 (SARS-CoV-2) genomes offers critical insight into viral evolution across Asia, a region that encompasses early pandemic diversity as well as sustained transmission over time. An Asia-focused phylogenetic tree enables examination of lineage emergence and diversification while situating regional patterns within a global evolutionary context through the inclusion of representative genomes from other continents.
This phylodynamic reconstruction spans from the earliest available Asian sequences in 2020 through to the most recent genome collections. By incorporating sampling dates into the analysis, the tree reveals how genetic diversity has accumulated over time and how different lineages have expanded or declined during successive waves of infection.
In the most recent sections of the phylogenetic tree, viruses assigned to PQ.2 are most frequently observed, reflecting their current prominence among newly submitted Asian genomes. These lineages occupy the terminal regions of the tree, consistent with their recent circulation. Genomes belonging to NB.1.8.1 and XFG remain present as well, highlighting continued diversification within Omicron-related genetic backgrounds.
The overall phylogenetic structure traces the stepwise emergence of lineages from earlier variants and illustrates the temporal accumulation of mutations, supporting evolutionary inferences based on molecular clock models.
Analysis of recent GISAID data shows that South Korea, China, and Singapore contribute the largest share of hCoV-19 (SARS-CoV-2) genome sequences from Asia during the current period. The breadth and depth of sequencing from these countries enhance the ability to resolve regional transmission patterns and to compare Asian viral diversity with genomes sampled elsewhere.
To maintain global perspective, a small number of sequences from outside Asia are included, serving as reference points for shared ancestry and cross-regional spread.
An Asia-focused hCoV-19 (SARS-CoV-2) phylogenetic tree provides an essential framework for understanding viral evolution across a geographically and demographically diverse region. It supports genomic surveillance, clarifies lineage dynamics, and contributes to broader efforts to monitor and interpret ongoing of hCoV-19 (SARS-CoV-2) evolution.
