Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a novel human pathogene that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The clinical presentation of COVID-19 is non-specific, and symptoms overlap with other seasonal respiratory infections concurrently circulating in the population. To support infection control measures, there is an urgent need for accurate molecular diagnostics to identify COVID-19 positive individuals and uncover pathogenic risk factors related to the development of the symptomatic disease. The recent topic is focusing on highly sensitive and specific molecular diagnostic techniques targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp)/helicase (Hel), spike (S), envelope (E) and nucleocapsid (N) genes of SARS-CoV-2 and predisposing genetic and epigenetic factors that prone individuals to severe disease progression. Methods enroll high throughput molecular techniques including fluorescent quantitative real-time PCR, droplet digital PCR and next generation sequencing.