A new technology has been made available for the detection of COVID-19 that is much simpler and faster to perform than the currently recommended nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) such as PCR. This method is based on the direct detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins in nasal swabs and other respiratory secretions using a lateral flow immunoassay (also called RDT) that gives results in < 30 minutes. Although these antigen detection RTDs (Ag-RDT) are substantially less sensitive than NAAT, they offer the potential for rapid, inexpensive, and early detection of the most infectious cases of COVID-19 in appropriate settings. Recognizing the inadequacy of current data on the performance and operational usefulness of these tests, this document seeks to provide guidance to countries on considerations for integration into COVID-19 outbreak management programs.
See online press release: OMS 11-09-2020
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