Preparing for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Self-Testing Implementation: Lessons Learned From HIV Self-Testing

The number of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cases and associated death continue to rise globally. Widespread testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial in order to identify individuals who need to need to be isolated, thereby reducing their chances to infect others and allowing them to seek treatment earlier which can prevent further negative health outcomes and mortality. Currently, the most common testing method for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis is Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) from nasopharyngeal, throat or saliva specimens. However, SARS-CoV-2 testing has been hampered in many countries due to inadequate test kits, uncomfortable testing procedures, shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers, and low demand among people to seek testing for SARS-CoV-2 at health facilities.