In December 2020, research surveillance detected the B.1.1.7 lineage of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in São Paulo, Brazil. Rapid genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed 2 distinct introductions of the lineage. One patient reported no international travel. There may be more infections with this lineage in Brazil than reported.
Keywords: 2019 novel coronavirus disease; Brazil; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus disease; genomic; lineage B.1.1.7; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; surveillance; transmission; viruses; zoonoses.