Beyond the Sequence: Operationalizing Whole-Genome Sequencing for Real-time Infection Control in Low- and Middle-Income-Country Healthcare Settings Healthcare Settings

We read with interest the article by Betito and colleagues describing retrospective use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) to investigate a COVID-19 cluster among healthcare workers (HCWs) in a Philippine tertiary hospital [1].Their findings affirm the value of genomic data in uncovering hidden transmission pathways and guiding infection prevention and control (IPC)-a principle supported by reports from high-income settings [2][3][4].Yet, the 33-68 day delay between case identification and WGS results highlights a key barrier: delayed turnaround limits WGS's operational utility for outbreak control.The authors correctly identify constraints to WGS integration in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs): limited infrastructure, workforce shortages, and fragmented data systems [1,5].However, the post-pandemic era presents a unique opportunity to reframe genomic surveillance-not as a retrospective research tool, but as a proactive IPC asset.