Publication date: Nov 01, 2024

A novel single-use, analyser-free, molecular point-of-care test for SARS-CoV-2 (Veros COVID-19 test, Sherlock Biosciences) could reduce time to results and improve patient care and flow in the emergency department (ED), but its performance in this setting is unknown. Adults aged ≥18 years presenting to Southampton General Hospital (UK) with suspected COVID-19 were tested with the Veros COVID-19 test in addition to standard of care near-patient PCR. Measures of diagnostic accuracy were calculated for the Veros COVID-19 test stratified by Ct value. Discrepant results underwent viral culture. Between Jan 16 and May 2, 2023, 400 patients were enrolled with a median (IQR) age of 60 (34-77) and 141 (35.3%) were SARS-CoV-2 positive by PCR. The Veros test gave valid results on the first test in 384 (96.0%), and sensitivity and specificity were 127/141 (90.1%, 95%CI 83.9-94.5) and 258/259 (99.6%, 95%CI 97.9-100) overall. For those with high or moderate viral load (Ct ≤30), sensitivity was 125/129 (96.9%, 95%CI 92.3-99.2). One (7.1%) of 14 PCR positive/Veros test negative samples was culture positive. Median (IQR) time from sample collection to result was 19 (18-20) mins with the Veros test versus 73 (59-92) mins with PCR (p

Semantics

Original Article