Research
[World Health Organization] Detection of COVID-19 in suspected human cases by RT-PCR
World Health Organization, 16 Jan 2020
Leo Poon, Daniel Chu and Malik Peiris
Highlights
- This protocol is designed to detect COVID-19 in human clinical specimens. The two monoplex assays described here are reactive with coronaviruses under the subgenus Sarbecovirus that includes COVID-19, SARS-CoV and bat SARS-like coronaviruses.
- The rationale for using this detection approach are:
1) The genetic diversity of COVID-19 in humans and animals is yet to be fully determined.
2) Many laboratories lack positive controls for COVID-19.
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