**4. Future of diagnostic and conclusion**

COVID-19 has emerged as the most severe and terrifying viral infection encountered by us. Considering present pandemic situation, researchers from all around the globe have put strenuous efforts to develop test for COVID-19 diagnosis. They aim to develop a test that shows fast and accurate results, without compromising on the sensitivity and selectivity of the assay. Although present vaccine regime against COVID-19 has lessen the burden on health sector still, we are not aware of the long-term effects of COVID-19. Early medical interventions are only possible if diagnosis of the diseases is done at earlier stages. Many diagnostic tests have been developed which differ from sensitivity to specificity. Every test has disadvantages and advantages over the other methods (**Figure 3**).

#### **Figure 3.**

*Comparison of different COVID-19 diagnostic assay.*

The genome-based detection of SARS-CoV-2 is solely relied on the RT-PCR method. Existing RT-PCR-based assays are not sensitive enough to detect the COVID-19 in the early stages of infection. Serology tests are rapid and apt for vast screening but they cannot confirm the presence of the active infection. Antigenbased test are also very promising but need development. Despite the excellent effort put by researchers globally, we are still in the need of developing an assay which can detect the SARS-CoV-2 in individuals at the initial stage. For this purpose, early stage biomarkers of COVID-19 should be identified and utilized for development of new assays. In severe conditions, CT scan can be used as complementary diagnostic tool along with RT-PCR [54]. It is reported that physicians took help of CT SCAN to effectively detect COVID-19 infection in RT-PCR false-negative cases. Antigen tests can also be performed along with RT-PCR to support present diagnostics and accelerate the detection speed worldwide. Different manufacturers and laboratories are using various parameters and conditions for testing. We do not have any universal standard for testing. Specimen and collection time needs to be optimized. Such standardization will give consistency in test results [55]. More effort toward research is required for further understanding of the influence of diagnostics. There is still scope in exploring about SARS-CoV-2 virus biology and COVID-19 pathology. Understanding of virus will help in developing more accurate diagnostic and effective treatment. Further research is required in the field of COVID-19 diagnostics to develop a rapid and automated diagnostic test with more sensitivity and specificity. In light of this, the government of India has also announced the call for various research projects for funding. In this direction public, clinicians, industries, and government all should work in coordination to fight against SARS-CoV-2. Global coordination between them is in high demand.

*Current Status of COVID-19 Diagnostics DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96955*
