The new variants of SARS-CoV-2
In December 2020 new SARS-CoV-2 variants were detected in the United Kingdom and South Africa. The UK SARS-CoV-2 variant is called B.1.17 (VUI 202012/01), the South African Variant is called B.1.351 and both are characterized by multiple mutations in the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The mutations in the spike protein of the variant leads to false negative results when using RT-PCR assays targeting the S-gene. All PerkinElmer SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assays are designed to identify SARS-CoV-2 ORF1ab and N genes, therefore the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants do not affect the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by PerkinElmer RT-PCR assays.
