SARS-CoV-2 RNA Detection

What it is for

Diagnoses active SARS-CoV-2 infection, guides isolation decisions, supports pre-procedure screening, and feeds public-health surveillance. Quantitative versions are used in wastewater and variant monitoring programmes.

Limitations

Sensitivity depends on specimen quality and days since symptom onset; antigen tests are less sensitive, especially in asymptomatic people. Positivity can persist after infectiousness ends.

Before you test

For individuals: avoid eating or drinking right before self-sampling saliva. Results for lab PCR are typically available within 24 hours; ask whether isolation is needed while waiting.

Health information only. This guide does not diagnose or replace advice from a healthcare professional.

Also known as

• COVID test
• COVID-19 PCR
• coronavirus test