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So many questions about how we track variants and if a PCR test is able to tell you if you have a Delta infection. @dr.berthahidalgo and I teamed up to walk you through how variants are identified.
Key points:
1️⃣ PCR testing is effective at telling you if you have COVID-19.
2️⃣ Full genome sequencing is able to detect mutations in the viral genome that identify variants.
Genome surveillance (looking at subsets of positive covid pcr tests for full genome sequencing) allow us to keep track of variants and be on the look out for emerging ones. This information informs guidance to protect the public.