How is COVID-19 diagnosed?

Your doctor can determine if your signs and symptoms show if there is a reason to suspect you may have COVID-19. Diagnosis may be difficult with only a physical exam because mild cases of COVID-19 may appear similar to the flu or a bad cold. A laboratory test can confirm the diagnosis. Diagnosis happens through lab testing of respiratory specimens.  Some strains of coronavirus cause common cold and patients tested by their health care provider may test positive for these types. The SARS-Co-V-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 can be detected only at a Government-run National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, India.