Authors' objectives: This report aims to identify and summarise evidence that addresses the following questions: 1. What is the clinical effectiveness and/or economic impact of tests that detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to inform COVID-19 diagnosis? 2. What is the clinical effectiveness and/or economic impact of tests that detect the presence of antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus to inform diagnosis of COVID-19? This is a living evidence review and will be updated frequently as more evidence is published.

Authors' methods: Initial scoping-level evidence searches were conducted using databases, set up to aggregate COVID-19-specific evidence. Based on the results of these, we developed a specific search strategy to capture published evidence on SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics. We also hand-searched the sources included in the HTW COVID-19 Evidence Digest (https://www.healthtechnology.wales/covid-19/covid-19-evidence-digest/) for relevant evidence, and contacted key stakeholders in Wales for any published or unpublished data of relevance to this review. We followed the recommendations made in the Interim Guidance from the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group with regards to study selection, data extraction and evidence synthesis. (https://covidrapidreviews.cochrane.org/sites/covidrapidreviews.cochrane.org/files/public/uploads/cochrane_rr_-_guidance-23mar2020-final.pdf)

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2020

URL for published report: https://www.healthtechnology.wales/reports-guidance/tests-to-inform-covid-19-diagnosis/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Rapid Review

Country: Wales, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: Health Technology Wales

Contact Address: c/o Digital Health Care Wales, 21 Cowbridge Road East Cardiff CF11 9AD

Contact Name: Susan Myles, PhD

Contact Email: healthtechnology@wales.nhs.uk

Copyright: Health Technology Wales