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A pencil graphite biosensor that detects SARS-CoV-2
Scientists around the world generally agreed that early detection of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), followed by isolation of the infected person is an effective method to prevent further spread of the disease. At present, owing to the high accuracy and specificity of the reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, this analytical technique is considered the gold standard for detecting the presence of SARS-CoV-2.
Nasopharyngeal (NP) or oropharyngeal (OP) samples are the two primary types that are used to detect SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. However, this test is expensive, time-consuming, and requires a skilled technician to be performed. As a result, the RT-PCR assay is unsuitable for mass testing efforts, particularly those conducted in low-income countries with limited resources.