Corona Detective: a simple, scalable, and robust SARS-CoV-2 detection method based on reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification.

Surveillance screening at scale to identify people infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) prior to extensive transmission is key to bringing an end to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, even though vaccinations have already begun. Here we describe Corona Detective, a sensitive and rapid molecular test to detect the virus, based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification, which could be applied anywhere at low cost. Critically, the method uses freeze-dried reagents, readily shipped without cold-chain dependence.