Interpreting a covid-19 test result

Abstract

What you need to know• Interpreting the result of a test for covid-19 depends on two things: the accuracy of the test, and the pre-test probability or estimated risk of disease before testing • A positive RT-PCR test for covid-19 test has more weight than a negative test because of the test's high specificity but moderate sensitivity • A single negative covid-19 test should not be used as a rule-out in patients with strongly suggestive symptoms • Clinicians should share information with patients about the accuracy of covid-19 testsAcross the world there is a clamour for covid-19 testing, with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, encouraging countries to "test, test, test." 1 The availability of the complete genome of covid-19 early in the epidemic facilitated development of tests to detect viral RNA. 2 Multiple assays with different gene targets have been developed using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).3 These viral RNA tests use samples usually obtained from the respiratory tract by nasopharyngeal swab, to detect current infections.Serology blood tests to detect antibodies indicating past infection are being developed; these will not be considered in depth in this article.Testing for covid-19 enables infected individuals to be identified and isolated to reduce spread, 4 allows contact tracing for exposed individuals, 5 and provides knowledge of regional and national rates of infection to inform public health interventions.However, questions remain on how to apply test results to make optimal decisions about individual patients. Search strategyThis article was produced at speed to address an urgent need to address uncertainties in testing for covid-19.We searched Pubmed using the terms "covid", "SARS-CoV-2", "sensitivity", "specificity", "diagnosis", "test", and "PCR", and KSR evidence using terms for covid and test.This was supplemented by discussion with colleagues undertaking formal systematic reviews into covid-19 diagnosis.Practice PRACTICE 10.1136/