Table 1.

Available diagnostic methods for COVID-19.

Test	Detection type	Positive rate	Time	Characteristics	Limitations	References
qRT-PCR	nucleic acid detection	38%	>2h	Currently the most common detection method, simple quantitative detection.	Time-consuming, poor sensitivity	(Liu R. et al., 2020)
ELISA	Immunological detection	80.4%	>2h	Fast, easy to operate, low sample volumes	Cross-reactivity, Antibodies are produced about 7-10 days after infection.	(Liu W. et al., 2020)
RT-LAMP	nucleic acid detection	92.9%	40–60 min	Highly sensitive, fast, and convenient field testing	Prone to false positives	(Baek et al., 2020)
CRISPR-based detection	nucleic acid detection	96%	30-60min	Highly sensitive, high specificity, fast and convenient for field testing., low-cost	Not yet widespread and in clinical trials	(Patchsung et al., 2020)
ddPCR	nucleic acid detection	40%	NA	Absolute quantification, high sensitivity	Expensive equipment, poor accessibility, and complexity of the operation	(Suo et al., 2020)
CT Scan	Radiological Screening	NA	NA	Check for disease progression, easy access, rapid detection	Unable to identify the pathogen of infection, clinical assistant tests	(Dong et al., 2020)