As described in our previous study [11 ], RT-PCR was performed based on diagnostic kits with CE IVD certification – Viasure SARS-CoV-2 Real-Time PCR Detection Kit (Certest Biotec S.L., San Mateo de Gallego, Spain), MediPan 2G + Fast COVID Kit (Medicofarma, Radom, Poland), 2019 Novel-Coronavirus [2019-nCOV] Triplex RT-qPCR Detection Kit (Vazyme, Nanjing, China), MutaPlex Coronavirus Real-Time-RT-PCR Kit (Immunodiagnostic, The Boldons, Great Britain), XpertXpress SARS-CoV-2 and Xppert Xpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV (Gene Xpert, Sunnyvale, California, USA) – in suitably thermal conditions, as recommended by the manufacturers, on BioradCFX 96 and BioradCFX Opus thermal cyclers (BioRad, California, USA) and Aria MX and Aria DX (Agilent Technologies, California, USA). The test was interpreted according to the manufacturers’ recommendations.
The RT-PCR tests had the necessary certification (CE IVD) for use for routine diagnostics. Several diagnostic tests were used due to (1) the lack of availability of one type of diagnostic test on the market that would have been able to satisfy the need for mass testing, and (2) the need to confirm the result (in the case of a diagnostically questionable result) with a test from another manufacturer.
The RT-PCR tests had the necessary certification (CE IVD) for use for routine diagnostics. Several diagnostic tests were used due to (1) the lack of availability of one type of diagnostic test on the market that would have been able to satisfy the need for mass testing, and (2) the need to confirm the result (in the case of a diagnostically questionable result) with a test from another manufacturer.