SARS-CoV-2 genomic and subgenomic RNAs in diagnostic samples are not an indicator of active replication

Abstract

During SARS-CoV-2 replication subgenomic RNAs (sgRNA) are transcribed and subsequently translated into viral proteins. Here, Alexandersen et al. provide evidence that sgRNA is not necessarily an indicator for active viral replication, but can be detected up to 17 days after symptom onset in clinical samples.