How are variants identified individually by testing? Colorado shows 6 variants active at this time.
RT-PCR testing gives you a positive/negative result for presence of SARS-CoV-2, but does NOT identify the specific variant. For that, CDC takes a random sampling of positive test specimens and does whole genome sequencing. It’s through this process that the actual variant is identified.
This is done on a subset of positive specimens because it costs about $130 to sequence the genome of a single sample. This is how the statistics are compiled on which variants are active.
If you go get a test at a pharmacy, or at the state site and find out you’re positive, they can’t immediately tell you if you have one of the variants. It’s a labor-intensive process that takes time.