US setting up $1.7B national network to track virus variants

WASHINGTON – The U.S. is setting up a $1.7 billion national network to identify and track worrisome coronavirus mutations whose spread could trigger another pandemic wave, the White House announced Friday. The strategy features three components: a major funding boost for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health departments to ramp up genemapping; partnerships with universities to conduct research and develop technologies; and building a data system to share and analyze information.