There are three critical steps to the COVID-19 PCR test:
1. Sample collection
Sample collection is done using a swab to obtain respiratory material placed in your nose. A swab carries a soft tip on a long, adjustable stick that is injected into your nose. There are various nose swabs, with nasal swabs that collect a sample instantly under your noses and nasopharyngeal swabs that go further into your nasal hole to collect the sample. Another type of swab is adequate to collect material for the PCR test. After the test, the swab is sealed in a container or tube and then sent to a laboratory.
2. Extraction
When a laboratory technologist collects the sample, they complete an extraction process, which separates genetic material from the collection, including genetic material from any virus that may be existed.
3. PCR
The 3rd PCR step uses special chemicals, and a PCR machine called a thermal cycler. While this process, one of the chemicals produces a fluorescent light if COVID-19 exists in the sample. The PCR machine detects this fluorescent light, and special software interprets it as a positive test result.