Want to know about the different types of covid testing?

If you are interested to know about the different test methods for covid, our table below will be useful.

It explains the different types of test, what they involve, how long they take and how accurate they are.

This is our own research, taken from the sources listed below the table, but since testing protocols are ever-changing, please check for updates using government and NHS sources.

Notes:

1. This table is for general info as there may already be new data available for testing methods - or indeed new testing methods - so please supplement it with your own research prior to implementing any testing procedure.

2. Table information collected from NHS, BMJ, GOV.UK and the following links:

https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m3868

https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m2066

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(20)30453-7/fulltext#:~:text=RT%2DPCR%20tests%20to%20detect,single%20gold%20standard%20assay%20exists.

https://www.ft.com/content/e7a279df-3239-4e00-be29-f38d98f4d730

https://www.virolens.technology/press

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-what-are-the-different-types-of-covid-19-tests-12068081

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/Options-use-of-rapid-antigen-tests-for-COVID-19.pdf

https://www.siemens-healthineers.com/en-uk/laboratory-diagnostics/assays-by-diseases-conditions/infectious-disease-assays/specificity-matters

https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/12/08/lateral-flow-testing-new-rapid-tests-to-detect-covid-19/

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-antigen-test-first-over-counter-fully-home-diagnostic

3. Test sensitivity indicates the ability of the test to correctly identify patients that have the disease. A test’s sensitivity is also known as the true positive rate. If a diagnostic test correctly identified 100% of all positive results, it would be as sensitive as possible. Sensitivity percentages shown in the table are taken from the links above but other data maybe available.

4. Test specificity indicates the ability of the test to correctly identify patients that do not have the disease. If a test correctly identifies all people without the disease as negative, it would be as specific as possible. Specificity percentages shown in the table are taken from the links above but other data maybe available.

5. Data shown in table for test sensitivity and specificity may be test provider estimates.