Examples of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid-based detection methods.

Method	Sample source	Target gene	Sample tested	Sensitivity	Test time	Reference
RT-PCR	BLF, nasal and pharyngeal swabs	ORF1ab and N	4880	—	—	14
RT-PCR	Throat and nose swabs	E and RdRP	297	5.2 and 3.8 copies per test	—	13
Digital PCR	Sputum, blood, urine nasal and throat swabs	ORF1ab and N	323	11.1 copies per test	>2 h	15
Digital PCR	Pharyngeal swabs, stool and blood	ORF1ab and N	109	28.3 and 35.2 copies per μL	—	16
RT-LAMP	Swabs and BLF	ORF1ab and S	130	20 and 200 copies per test	26.28 ± 4.48 min	17
RT-LAMP	Throat swabs	ORF1ab, N and S	16	80 copies per mL	30 min	18
DETECTR	Nasal and pharyngeal swabs	E gene and N	78	10 copies per μL	45 min	19
SHERLOCK	Nasal swabs	N	17	100 copies per test	40 or 70 min	20
Gene sequencing	Throat swabs	ORF1ab and N	61	10 copies per mL	6–10 h	21