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Lighthouse Labs network tests for the presence of RNA of SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. The Thermofisher TaqPath assay targets three regions of SARS-CoV-2; ORF1ab, N and S-genes. The assay identified a drop in S-gene target detection among positive samples due to the circulation of a new SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern (VOC) designated as 202012/01. By end of December 2020, 60% of daily positive test results at Alderley Park Lighthouse Labs, were linked to the new Variant of Concern. This timeline view identifies the rapid spread of the variant across the country.
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Gravagnuolo et al. (2021) studied this question.