On 11 September 2020, WHO published an interim guidance ‘Antigen-detection in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection using rapid immunoassays’. This document offers advice on the potential role of antigen-detecting RDTs (Ag-RDT) in the diagnosis of COVID-19 and the need for careful test selection. Topics in the documents include: General recommendations for the use of SARS-CoV-2 Ag-RDTs, potential use and non-use case scenarios for SARS-CoV-2 antigen detecting RDTs based on minimum performance criteria; roles for antigen detecting RDTs for case management and surveillance for COVID-19, factors influencing test performance and future updates & product specific recommendations. Full document: https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/1302653/retrieve

On 11 September 2020, WHO published an updated interim guidance titled ‘Diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2’. The document provides interim guidance to laboratories and other stakeholders involved in diagnostics for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It covers the main considerations for specimen collection, nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT), antigen (Ag), antibody (Ab) detection and quality assurance. Topics in the documents include: Laboratory testing guiding principles, Specimen collection, shipment and storage, Biosafety practices in the laboratory, Testing for SARS-CoV-2 and Reporting of cases and test results. This document will be updated as new information becomes available. Full document: https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/1302661/retrieve