As the new coronavirus continues to claim lives, the race is on to develop fast, convenient and accurate diagnostic tests for COVID-19. Now, researchers from CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society specializing in scientific information solutions, have compiled a special report published in ACS Central Science. Drawing from published journal articles and a variety of other published resources, this report provides a detailed overview of COVID-19 diagnostic tests, trends and resources.
According to the World Health Organization, as of April 26, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused more than 2.8 million confirmed illnesses and more than 193,000 deaths. Social distancing requirements and business lockdowns have slowed the virus’ spread, but at the same time, these measures have disrupted people’s lives and weakened economies. To help prevent future outbreaks of COVID-19, experts agree that fast, convenient and accurate diagnostic tests are desperately needed. Widespread testing of the general population would allow public health officials to identify and isolate patients early in the course of their illness, as well as asymptomatic people who might unknowingly spread the disease. To help better understand the numerous diagnostic tests available, a group of CAS scientists led by Cynthia Liu summarized the basic principles of molecular and serological assays underlying these tests. The researchers also provided a high-level view of the more than 200 diagnostic tests currently available.
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