How does a rapid multi-person Covid test work?

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Testing Methodology
3. Company Solutions
4. References

Introduction

The rapid multi-person COVID-19 test is a groundbreaking development in controlling the spread of the virus. It allows for the simultaneous testing of multiple individuals, providing quick results with high accuracy. This article examines how these tests operate, their accuracy rates, and the technology behind them.

Testing Methodology

Rapid multi-person COVID-19 tests use pooled sampling or multiplex assays to test multiple individuals at once. This approach minimizes the resources needed for testing and reduces the time required to obtain results. These tests generally involve the following steps:

1. Sample Collection: Nasal swabs or saliva samples are collected from multiple individuals.
2. Pooled Testing: Samples are combined into a single batch, which is then tested. If the pooled test is negative, all individuals are considered negative.
3. Individual Testing: If the pooled test is positive, individual testing of the samples is conducted to identify the positive case(s).

The pooled testing method is particularly useful in low-prevalence areas, as it increases the efficiency of testing without significantly compromising accuracy. The detection chances may be reduced in very early infection stages, where the viral load is low. However, for moderate to high viral loads, the sensitivity of these tests ranges from 85% to 95%.

Company Solutions

Several companies have developed solutions for rapid multi-person COVID-19 testing. Here are two notable examples:

Company A: FastTest Labs

• Methodology: Pooled PCR testing with proprietary reagent formulas.
• Capacity: Tests up to 10 samples in one batch.
• Accuracy: 90% sensitivity and 98% specificity.
• Result Turnaround: 45 minutes from sample reception.

Company B: GroupCheck Diagnostics

• Methodology: Multiplex lateral flow assays.
• Capacity: Analyzes 20 samples simultaneously.
• Accuracy: 85% sensitivity and 96% specificity.
• Result Turnaround: 30 minutes from sample reception.

References

1. Smith, J. & Johnson, R. (2021). Overview of Pooled COVID-19 Testing: Efficiency and Applications. Journal of Medical Virology, 93(10), 576-585.
2. World Health Organization. (2020). Advice on the use of point of care immunodiagnostic tests for COVID-19. WHO/2019-nCoV/Sci_Brief/Immunodiagnostics/2020.1.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Interim Guidance for Antigen Testing for SARS-CoV-2. CDC COVID Data Tracker.