Diagnostic Testing Strategies for COVID-19 There are 3 main type of diagnostic tests for COVID-19 1. Tests to detect the virus 2. Tests to detect antibodies to the virus 3. Imaging modalities Tests for Viral detection ------------------------------- The most fool-proof method is sequencing of the viral genome. This is how the virus was identified as a novel and unique entity by the Chinese in Wuhan. Once the sequence was made public, tests to amplify and detect the unique portions of the virus could be designed. These tests called Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or more specifically Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) since it is an RNA virus that needs to be converted to DNA by the enzyme Reverse transcriptase. Rapid amplification PCR based cartridge platforms, tried and tested extensively for tuberculosis is now available for various virus diseases including SARS-CoV2. This has the potential of being used as a point of care test. Advantages of PCR tests: ------
Focused on advancing knowledge and expertise in Geography, GIS, Remote Sensing, Geographical Data Science, and Analysis, I am deeply committed to teaching and conducting research in these fields. With a keen interest in leveraging data-driven approaches for informed decision-making, I specialize in crafting maps that facilitate effective analysis and interpretation of spatial information. Assistant Professor Of Geography, PG and Research Department of Geography, Government College Chittur