DNA or RNA-based diagnostic tests for infectious diseases are critical in modern medicine. The current gold standard for COVID-19 detection is testing SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA by quantitative reverse transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). This method involves patient sample collection with a nasopharyngeal swab, storage of the swab in a universal transport medium during transport to a testing site, RNA extraction, and analysis of the extracted RNA sample. Collected patient samples, in addition to the possible presence of SARS-CoV-2, also contain inhibitors for downstream enzymatic reactions, RNA degrading enzymes (e.g., RNase), and magnesium and calcium ions that are required for RNase activity. Active RNase in the patient sample can reduce the amount of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the sample; so, the RNA needs to be extracted for analysis.

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