COVID-19 in Baselland: Validation of Simple and Accurate Tests for COVID-19 Detection, Monitoring and Tracing (ACCURATE-BL-COVID-19)

Crude RNA extraction to inactivate the virus and stabilize the RNA for transport at room temperature. Validation of the crude RNA extraction from saliva in combination with NGS diagnostics and LAMP assays and point of care test (POCT) for rapid detection of viral antigens on patients' samples.

Compare the results obtained with the next-generation sequencing (NGS) method to the nasopharyngeal swabs analysed in a FAMH certified lab.

The RNA will be analyzed onsite using the loop mediated amplification (LAMP) assay.

Rapid point of care tests (POCT) detecting viral protein antigens (Ag) and antibodies (Ab) on patients' samples. POCT are often employed in low income countries, but for COVID-19 they are not yet characterized. Their performance is to be characterized that they can be used as a safe guard if the lab diagnostics fail.