March 13 marked five years since the start of the pandemic in Uruguay. We highlight the key milestones achieved by the Institut Pasteur de Montevideo in the fight against the virus:
1. March 13, 2020: First cases in Uruguay
The government announced the identification of the first COVID-19 cases in Uruguay.
2. March 17, 2020: Development of the diagnostic kit
Researchers from the Institut Pasteur de Montevideo and the University of the Republic (Udelar) successfully developed a molecular diagnostic kit for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This tool enabled the country to detect and isolate cases early, maintaining initial control over the pandemic.
3. March 27: Ministry of Health-IP Montevideo-Udelar Agreement
Authorities from the Ministry of Health, the University of the Republic (Udelar), and the Institut Pasteur de Montevideo signed an agreement to begin using the new COVID-19 diagnostic kit as a detection method.
4. March 29: First SARS-CoV-2 genome
Researchers at the Institut Pasteur de Montevideo sequenced the first complete SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Uruguayan patients. This information allowed for tracking the variants that emerged throughout the pandemic.
5. April 2020: Public presentation of the diagnostic kit
Researchers and authorities from the Institut Pasteur de Montevideo and Udelar collaborated with the biotech company ATGen to standardize and scale up the COVID-19 diagnostic kit for nationwide use.
6. April 2020: Start of sample analysis at the institute
The Institut Pasteur de Montevideo adapted its facilities to process COVID-19 samples. Dozens of scientists from the institute—including those outside the field of virology—joined efforts to process samples and detect cases as early as possible. Other institutions later joined to strengthen sample processing across the country.
7. April 2020: FOCEM grants funding for COVID-19 response
The Structural Convergence Fund of Mercosur (Fondo para la Convergencia Estructural del Mercosur, FOCEM)—a program created by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela to finance projects improving infrastructure and promoting regional technological development— approved US$16 million in non-refundable funds for Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. The funds were allocated to the coordinated fight against COVID-19. Uruguay received nearly US$3 million, which helped finance the production of PCR diagnostic tests and antibody tests for the Uruguayan population.
8. July 2020: Presentation of the serological kit
As COVID-19 cases increased, it became important to understand the population’s developing immunity. With support from ANII, FOCEM, and the IDB, 46 scientists from the Institut Pasteur de Montevideo and various areas of Udelar collaborated to create a serological kit that detected antibodies against the virus in blood. This kit was also used nationwide and proved especially useful when vaccines became available.
9. July 2020: Creation of the national diagnostic network
Thanks to the scientific and administrative efforts of the Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Udelar, the Ministry of Health, IIBCE, INIA, and ASSE, a national network of laboratories was established to extend COVID-19 diagnostics across the country. To ensure most hospitals had access to and could use the kit, groups of scientists traveled to various departments to set up the tool and train local staff.
10. August 2020: Development of a rapid diagnostic method
Researchers from the institute and Udelar developed a COVID-19 diagnostic method that could deliver results in one hour using simple equipment. This method was designed for use in remote or resource-limited areas.
11. October 2020: Second FOCEM funding
FOCEM granted Uruguay an additional $2.4 million in non-refundable funds to address the COVID-19 epidemic.
12. January 2021: Variant monitoring begins
The Interinstitutional Working Group (GTI) for SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance was formed to genomically track virus variants circulating in the country. The GTI included over 20 researchers from various institutions, and their monitoring results were summarized in reports sent directly to the Ministry of Health.
13. May 2021: Opening of the ‘hisoparking’ at the institute
The institute launched a swabbing service, making diagnostic tests accessible to the general public at a lower cost than private labs. Initially, the ‘hisoparking’ processed about 40 tests per day and in total analyzed over 300 samples.
14. August 2021: Detection of a locally emerged variant
Scientists at the institute, together with the Interinstitutional Working Group, detected a Uruguayan variant of SARS-CoV-2. Variants arise from natural mutations as the virus spreads in a region. The local variant, named P6, likely contributed to the first wave of COVID-19 recorded in Uruguay in late 2020.
15. December 2021: Omicron
Throughout the year, the Interinstitutional Working Group confirmed the presence in Uruguay of all variants that were driving case increases worldwide: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Lambda, and others. In December, the GTI detected Omicron in Uruguay, the last internationally recognized ‘variant of concern’.
