COVID-19

SARS COV-2 (COVID-19)

COVID-19 is a coronavirus that causes upper respiratory infections. COVID-19 is known as a retrovirus meaning its genetic starting material contains RNA instead of DNA. The virus was first observed in Wuhan, China. The virus is related to SARS, which was part of a previous outbreak in 2003. The virus contains a spike protein (S-protein) that has the appearance of a crown. The virus utilizes the S-protein to enter cells in the lungs by way of the ACE2 receptor. Once their the virus utilizes its enzymes to prepare translation of specific proteins as well as utilize cellular machinery to make copies of itself. Many of the severe medical complications occur from the immune response. The release of pro-inflammatory cytokines can create inflammatory damage leading to a very specific type of pneumonia. COVID-19 has become a global pandemic. Clinicore has been proud to jump in the fight utilizing RT-PCR on NasoPharyngeal swabs and soon releasing a saliva based PCR method of detection.