TABLE 1.

List of available diagnostic tools for detection of Covid‐19 disease

	Molecular testing	Antigen testing	Antibody testing
Testing methods	Nucleic acid amplification tests – real‐time reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction, isothermal nucleic acid amplification – CRISPR‐based assay	Rapid diagnostic immunoassays	POC (disposable immunochromatographic lateral flow assays), to enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays or chemiluminescent immunoassays
Mechanism of testing	Detection of specific target viral genes and regions	Detection of the presence of viral particles	Detection of antibodies, especially immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin A, that are specific for SARS‐CoV‐2 antigens
Specimen	Nasal or throat swabs	Nasal or throat swabs	Plasma, serum or whole blood
Diagnosis period	First 5 days after symptoms onset	Less than 5–7 days after symptoms	First 1 week after symptoms onset
Time required for getting results	Within 1–4 h or up to a week	Within an hour	Within 1–3 days of testing
Diagnosis of stage of infection	Active infection	Past infection	Active infection
Approval status	FDA approved	EU approved	FDA approved
Accuracy	High	The only accuracy of positive results is high	Needs another antibody testing for improved accuracy
Sensitivity	High	Moderate	High
Specificity	High	High	High
Point of care testing	Only a few are available	Available	Available
Cost	Moderate	Low	Low
Advantages	Most accurate for active infection	Time and cost‐effective	Identification of people with immunity whose antibodies can be used to treat Covid‐19 patients
Limitations	Cannot determine the past infection	Might require a molecular test to confirm negative antigen results	Cannot determine the present infection and possibility of false‐positive results