Table 3.

Viral test for COVID-19

Sources	Technology	Molecule Tested	Sample Site	Time to Get results	Principle	Advantages	Limitations	Specificity/ Sensitivity
Alcoba-Florez et al (2020) [131]	Real-Time PCR(RT-PCR)	Viral RNA	Nasopharyngeal swab, sputum, stool	3–4 hrs	Nucleic acid amplification test	- Gold standard diagnostic test. - Identifies directly the presence of virus.	Sensitive to sample collection error. Labor intensive. Specialized high-cost equipment.	>97%/>95%
Peto et al (2020) [132]	LAMP	Viral RNA	Nasopharyngeal swab, sputum, stool	2–3 hrs	Nucleic acid amplification test	- Cost-efficient. - Can be read by eye.	New techniques still under clinical investigation	>95%
Lisboa et al (2020) [133]	ELISA	IgG or IgM	Blood	1–3 hrs	Detection of IgM/IgG ot RBD IgG antibodies, via colorimetric assay	- Cost-effective. - Well documented in science. - Test 96 samples at a time.	Requires laboratory. Not well- established for SARS-CoV-2	79%/80%
Nicol et al (2020) [134]	Lateral Flow Immunoassays	IgG or IgM	Blood	15 to 20 min	Detection of IgM/IgG antibodies via color change of strip in lateral flow assay	- Extremely quick results. - Little training required.	- Evidence for accuracy still under investigation. - Expensive. - Not effective for large batch testing	96%/80%