How is COVID-19 diagnosed?

COVID-19 is diagnosed using respiratory swabs. These real-time reverse-

transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) tests detect the SARS-CoV-2
virus. Tests for other respiratory infections such as influenza and respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV) may be done at the same time.

A positive result means the patient has active COVID-19 (or one of the other
infections tested).
A negative swab is not reliable � the patient may still have COVID-19.
The test may be repeated if symptoms progress or for public health purposes.
The test may not be offered to everyone requesting it.
Antibody blood tests to test whether someone has previously been exposed to SARS-
CoV-2 and have mounted an immune response are not yet available in New Zealand.

The diagnosis of COVID-19 may also be made clinically where the patient has been in
contact with a COVID-19 patient, where community infection is widespread, or the
patient has recently travelled from a country with community infection.

Other tests will depend on the symptoms and signs of an infected patient. For
example, patients with COVID toes should be investigated with CBC, d-dimers,
fibrinogen, ANA, and a coagulation panel.