Measure Platforms/technologies Turnaround time (range) Number of samples per run/test Performance range LOD sensitivity/specificity (%)
NAATs for viral RNA antigen detection (NP swab, oropharyngeal swab, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, others)
Direct detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA
High throughput RT-PCR6
1.5–8 hours
Up to 384
>1.23 cp/μL7 450–540,000 NDU/mL8 >90%/up to 100%
Point-of-care RT-PCR 20 mins 1 >12 cp/mL7
High-throughput TMA 3 hours Unconfirmed 600 NDU/mL9
Point-of-care LAMP
20–60 mins
1
>10 cp/μl7 >75% sensitivity10
High-throughput LAMP (fluorescence) 45 mins 96 >1 cp/μl
CRISPR/LAMP lateral flow 15 mins 1 >6.75 cp/μL7
Antigen detection
(saliva, NP swab) Immunoassays for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral antigens High-throughput centralized From 18 mins Up to 300 Sensitivity (95% CI) <5 days post symptom onset and Ct <30: 97.5% (92.8–99.5%), Ct >30: 26.7% (12.3–45.9%)11
Point-of-care (lateral flow)
15–30 mins
1
Sensitivity (95% CI): 28.9% (16.4–44.3) – 98.3% (91.1–99.7) Specificity (95% CI): 92.4% (87.4– 95.9) –100% (99.7–100)12
Antibody detection (serum, plasma)
Detection of immune response i.e. past exposure to SARS-CoV-2
High-throughput centralized
First results from 18 mins to 24 hours
Up to 500
Typically, >90% sensitive and >95% specific13
Point-of-care (lateral flow) 15 mins 1 Typically, >90% sensitive and >95% specific13