What Types of Covid-19 Tests are Available and how do they Compare?

Updated: July 2023

There are a number of different COVID-19 testing options available. Choosing the right test depends on your testing requirements. Here we will provide some clarification about COVID-19 testing methods and their use. Learn what types of COVID-19 tests are available and how they compare…

What Types of Covid-19 Tests are Available?

Firstly, we need to understand the requirement for antigen testing. An antigen test identifies the current presence of an active infection. There are different types of antigen test available including the PCR test. The reasons patients require a COVID-19 test fall into several categories:

Covid-19 Testing for Travel – Pre-departure Testing

Many countries require evidence of a negative COVID-19 antigen test before departure at the airport or arrival into the country of destination. Many countries are more specific and require these to be of the molecular test type only – the PCR Test. All countries requiring a test will require these to be completed within a defined time limit prior to departure. They will require evidence of the negative result supplied as a travel certificate.

The key characteristics when choosing a COVID-19 test for travel are:

• Time before departure – will your testing provider return a result within the required time before departure i.e. <48 hours / <72 hours?
• Standard of testing – is the testing undertaken by a laboratory that has an accredited standard and registered by the United Kingdom Advisory Service (UKAS)?
• Accuracy – does the manufacturer indicate their sensitivity and specificity accuracy data?
• Certificate – will the testing facility provide a test result certificate for travel?
• PCR testing – is the test method using a PCR (for those countries requiring it)?

Occupational Health

A COVID-19 test may be requested by an employer when a patient is returning to work or starting a new job. The type of test required can be antigen or antibody, but are more routinely requested as antigen tests to test for an active infection. As above, employers usually require evidence in the form of a test result certificate, which Nomad will supply for a negative result. Find out more about Nomad screening & occupational health services.

Identification of an Active Infection

This is the role for the NHS testing service, and this should be regarded as the first point of contact. Some private testing is available; however, the testing may take place in areas (e.g. pharmacy, surgery) where there is a possibility of a high presence of infection from carriers or super-spreaders.

Types of COVID-19 Tests

The samples for testing can be collected by a variety of different means e.g blood, swabs or saliva. As the virus can be found in different places in the body at different times then a 2-stage collection, for example throat and nasal swab, as used at Nomad, are better than a single site or saliva test.

There are 4 main testing techniques:

PCR Tests are regarded as the gold standard. PCR tests have the lowest levels of false negatives and false positives. PCR tests are accepted throughout the world by all countries for travel certification purposes and for occupational health. The Express PCR Test provided by Nomad uses a 2-stage collection and external registered laboratory to test all our clients samples.

Rapid Antigen tests are the new rapid antigen testing system which provides rapid results with accuracy levels that are the closest to the PCR test. The Rapid Antigen Test can provide a result within 15 minutes and can be suitable for travel to those countries requiring a negative COVID test only (not a negative PCR test). Due to it’s rapid result, the Rapid Antigen Test is also ideal for occupational health and return to work purposes.=

LAMP (as used at Heathrow airport) is currently being trialled for rapid testing but only acceptable to countries not requiring a PCR test for entry. LAMP test is new technology, and the accuracy is still being assessed in clinical settings. This test is also being considered for testing patients upon arrival.

Immunofluorescence is a different type of testing method producing a quick response to identify a current infection but with a lower level of accuracy. This type of test is not suitable for use in travel as if it is not conducted at an external laboratory. According to some manufacturers there is a potential for cross-reactivity when performing multiple tests and false readings if secondary sources are detected. This can result in the workflow being less flexible and more expensive.

TMA Transcription-Mediated Amplification testing is another form of rapid molecular testing. These tests are accepted for entry to Spain, however this testing method is not widely available in the UK and currently is not offered by Nomad.

Comparison of Accuracy Between COVID-19 Tests

Sensitivity is the ability of a test to correctly identify those with the disease (true positive rate), whereas specificity is the ability of the test to correctly identify those without the disease (true negative rate)

Rapid Antigen Test Vs Lateral Flow Test

With COVID-19 rules and restrictions differing between countries, it can be confusing working out which tests you need for travel. We’re often asked what the difference is between a rapid antigen test vs lateral flow test, so lets discuss! To put it simply – there is no difference between a rapid antigen and a lateral flow test! Rapid testing uses the well-established lateral flow technology to detect proteins or antigens that are present when a person is infected with COVID-19.

Can I Use Rapid Lateral Flow Testing For Travel?

Many countries now accept rapid lateral flow testing for arrivals from the UK. Order your rapid lateral flow test from Nomad and we’ll provide you with a Fit-To-Fly certificate as required for entry where lateral flow test results are accepted. It only takes 20 minutes to complete your test, and processing your results and travel certificate will take no more than 2 hours before your digital certificate is with you ready for your trip.

Check travel regulations at your destination, with your airline or travel agent to find out if rapid lateral flow testing is suitable for your trip. Contact us to book pre-travel testing.

How Does Rapid Lateral Flow Testing Work?

The rapid lateral flow test kit includes a hand-held device with an absorbent pad at one end and a reading window at the other. The user applies a swab sample to the absorbent pad on the device. The device contains is a strip of test paper that changes colour in the presence of COVID-19 antigens. Your test will be complete within 20 minutes, with easy to interpret results that don’t require laboratory processing.

The best-known application of lateral flow testing is the home pregnancy test kit, which works in much the same way using a urine sample rather than saliva.

COVID-19 Laboratory Testing Standards

When considering which laboratory to use for testing, consideration needs to be given to the registration of the laboratory and the standards they use. In the UK the governing body is UKAS and all labs should be registered with them. These labs operate to specific standard processes called ISOs which maintain the quality assurance of the testing.

There are different needs for each COVID test, and these will range from the simple diagnostic test to the complex needs of travel testing. For the highest levels of accuracy, with proven medical evidence the PCR test is the highest standard.

Updated: July 2023