Hi
At the moment, I am working at a drive through test centre and I am testing people for Corona virus. I have been wondering about how the test works once I obtain the sample. I watched this video and spoke to my fiance (who has a PhD in biochem)
From what I understand they have to extract the virus R and virus from your cells. Then replicate the virus RNA using PCR and identify genes specific to COVID-19 to workout if you have the virus.
So we have been told at the testing site that touching the tongue leads to the test being void. My thinking is that it would somehow lead to false negatives or unclear results if it touches the tongue. Is it because the tongue has lots of bacteria that contain DNA that would interfere with the test somehow or enzymes that might interfere with either the PCR or identifying the gene somehow.
Do you guys have any idea why touching the tongue with the cans potentially make the test invalid?