Table 3

Investigations for COVID-19

Investigation	Remarks
Basic blood work	Decreased WBC count as well as lymphopenia Increased levels of AST and ALT, LDH and CRP Increased D-dimer Increased PT/INR
Molecular testing via RT-PCR	Techniques employed are RT-PCR and rRT-PCR which amplify viral genetic material obtained via nasal swab Poor sensitivity Repeat testing required for verification of viral clearance
Chest X-ray	No significant findings early in the disease Bilateral patchy opacities in advanced disease
HRCT chest	Multifocal bilateral ‘ground or ground-glass’ areas associated with consolidation areas with patchy distribution ‘Reverse halo’ sign Cavitation, calcification and lymphadenopathy High sensitivity for COVID-19 diagnosis
Serology/antibody testing	Further research still required for a proper/sensitive antibody test

ALT, alanine amino-transferase; AST, aspartate amino-transferase; CRP, C reactive protein; HRCT, high-resolution CT; INR, international randomised ratio; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; PT, prothrombin time; RT-PCR, reverse-transcription PCR; rRT-PCR, real-time reverse-transcriptionPCR; WBC, white blood count.