ABSTRACT
Background: In December 2019, a large number of patients with a novel coronavirus were identified in Wuhan, China. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is highly contagious and in-creasing the rate of mortality day by day. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a worldwide pandemic on March 11, 2020. Early diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 can restrict the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective(s): We aim to study the currently available diagnostic methods for COVID-19. Method(s): World Health Organisation portal, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention portal, Indian Council of Medical Research portal, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention por-tal, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Research Gate, etc. were searched for obtaining data. Result(s): Rapid diagnosis and prompt treatment can reduce the number of prospective cases. The diagnostic strategy encompasses the screening of the virus with nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) such as real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays. Sero-logical testing is a diagnostic procedure used for identifying the presence of immune responses. Radiological findings in individuals with COVID-19 are characterised by multiple areas of consolida-tion in the chest. Rapid antigen tests are in-vitro diagnostics that have been designed to give results within 10-20 min. Conclusion(s): Rapid, simple, and safe diagnosis of COVID-19 has a great impact on deciding clinical and epidemiological factors. RT-PCR results often require 5 to 6 hours. Diagnosis by serologi-cal testing is not suitable but important epidemiologically. At present, the best radiological strategy remains undefined. Rapid antigen tests have limitations on sensitivity.Copyright © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.