Early estimates of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant emergence in a university setting

Recent identification of the highly transmissible novel SARS-CoV-2 variant in the United Kingdom (B.1.1.7) has raised concerns for renewed pandemic surges worldwide ^1,2 . B.1.1.7 was first identified in the US on December 29, 2020 and may become dominant by March 2021 ³ . However, the regional prevalence of B.1.1.7 is largely unknown because of limited molecular surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 ⁴ . Quantitative PCR data from a surveillance testing program on a large university campus with roughly 30,000 students provides local situational awareness at a pivotal moment in the COVID-19 pandemic.