What are the main approaches for the development of a rapid and specific point-of-care diagnostic test for COVID-19?
The main approaches include nucleic acid amplification on respiratory samples using mobile devices (RT-PCR or isothermal nucleic acid amplification) and viral antigens or host antibodies (viral protein fragments) detection using immunoassays.101 However, individual tests need validation in large populations before use and their sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values have to be accurately ascertained. Otherwise, they may lead to COVID-19 under or over diagnosis, thus undermining the public health efforts to control the disease.102