During the COVID-19 pandemic, NAT, particularly RT-PCR, has been the gold standard for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection. It has been instrumental in:
1. Early Detection: Identifying infected individuals before they become symptomatic. 2. Contact Tracing: Helping to trace and isolate contacts to prevent further spread. 3. Variant Identification: Detecting and monitoring new variants of the virus. 4. Public Health Policies: Informing public health decisions and interventions.
