ISSN: 2642-6250
Authors: Hymavathi M, Sai Kishore B, Nazia S, Shrisha SR, Suresh K Bhargava and Sridhar S*
SARS-CoV-2 was first reported in 2019 in China, which then inadvertently spread rapidly across the globe and by 2020 WHO has confirmed Covid-19 as a pandemic. Infections have been transmitted through airborne mechanisms leading to an exponential spread which called out for a strategic medical action plan to curtail the spread. Though WHO has established definite guidelines for containing the spread, such as isolation, social distancing, mandatory masks, sanitization, quarantines, international travel bans, and lockdowns. Early diagnosis and a large number of screenings were given a crucial role in the medical action plan, as they helped in delivering the medical aid and protecting the uninfected population. Various diagnostic methods have sprung up to detect Covid-19 with varying modes of sample collection, time of sampling, duration of test results, and accuracy. These diagnostics tests have been majorly based on a molecular and serological assays which are readily available, mass-produced, easy to handle, offer high accuracy, and shorter duration for results. This review article consolidates the functionality and efficacy of different diagnostic methods describing details of their functioning mechanisms, limitations, and accuracy of the test results. The role of artificial intelligence and deep learning algorithms have also been mentioned for future integrations to make the diagnostic tools efficient, reproducible, and robust. Auxiliary methods like Point care devices, biosensors, and lateral flow devices have also been used for quick diagnosis, which is however only qualitative in nature. Each technique is unique and has its limitations, but in testing times like a pandemic every technological development can be a game-changer when put to the right use.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2 Diagnosis; COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 Testing; Lab Diagnosis; Corona Virus
