The current tests are looking for the presence of a specific virus—looking at the genome using RT-PCR technology so the answer is no. (eek at being so definite)
PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a DNA amplification technique
but Coronavirus is RNA so reverse-transcriptase (RT) is used to make a DNA ‘template’ from the RNA.
Some info. from Cambridge and Glasgow Universities regarding Covid-19 Genomics UK Consortium—A project to map how COVID-19 spreads and behaves by using whole genome sequencing will show if the virus is mutating.
Consider the demographics of the populations. Age, concurrent disease, levels of smoking, air pollution etc…
The current tests are looking for the presence of a specific virus—looking at the genome using RT-PCR technology so the answer is no. (eek at being so definite)
PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a DNA amplification technique
but Coronavirus is RNA so reverse-transcriptase (RT) is used to make a DNA ‘template’ from the RNA.
Some info. from Cambridge and Glasgow Universities regarding Covid-19 Genomics UK Consortium—A project to map how COVID-19 spreads and behaves by using whole genome sequencing will show if the virus is mutating.
Consider the demographics of the populations. Age, concurrent disease, levels of smoking, air pollution etc…
Levels of testing/recording/reporting....
(hope this makes some sense—written in a rush)