Routine test | Elevated levels of C-reactive protein and D-dimer, neutrophil count, NLR ratio, and a lower lymphocyte count | Monitor and predict the severity and prognosis of COVID-19 | Low specificity because they are also abnormal in other illnesses. |
Combined test |
| Useful for certain negative screening tests for people with elevated clinical suspicion of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Improvement in management of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak significantly increase patient compliance for quarantine and treatments. | High cost |
Culture |
| Effective and often complementary. | Increased risk to laboratory staff. Time-consuming. Labor-intensive. Often lack sensitivity or specificity |