8,266 SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Assemblies from Asymptomatic Carriers in Japan

In the context of public health, asymptomatic carriers of respiratory infectious diseases are considered a hidden yet critical factor in the transmission of infection and represent a key target for efforts to mitigate disease spread. To contribute a unique genomic resource to the SARS-CoV-2 research community, we collected SARS-CoV-2–positive samples from asymptomatic individuals at the SB Coronavirus Inspection Center Corp. during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan and conducted a comprehensive analysis of their viral genomes. Using Illumina COVIDSeq technology, we successfully generated 8,266 SARS-CoV-2 genome assemblies, all of which have been made publicly available to facilitate further research. In this report, we summarize our efforts to collect SARS-CoV-2–positive samples from asymptomatic individuals and highlight the key features and accessibility of this genomic dataset.