As fast as a lateral flow, as accurate as a PCR: a novel COVID-19 detection test

A research team from the University of Washington (WA, USA) has developed a new point-of-care test for COVID-19 suggested to be as fast and simple as over-the-counter antigen tests and as accurate as a PCR test. The test, named Harmony COVID-19, relies on reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) to detect SARS-CoV-2 viral particles, down to 0.38 RNA copies/μl of sample. A nasal swab is utilized to collect samples and eluted in a nontoxic buffer before transference to a reaction tube with ready-to-use reagents. An inexpensive isothermal heater/detector is operated by a cell phone that provides instructions on utilization and...