How is COVID-19 diagnosed?

COVID-19 is diagnosed using a few different types of tests. Rapid tests look for viral particles and are available to the public, can be self-administered, and provide test results in less than an hour. Lab-based tests are more accurate, but results can take longer to come back. Serum tests can also be used to identify certain antibodies, which indicate if an individual has had a prior infection (or has been vaccinated). ^[1]