A new quick-fire COVID-19 test has been developed by scientists in the United States who say that speed is the key to getting the world back functioning again.

Zev Williams of Columbia University, has said quick results from the test, that can be completed in 30 minutes, are necessary to give people control of the virus and allow countries to safely re-open economies and prevent future outbreaks.

Current rapid testing needs sophisticated labs and it has been difficult to scale up to meet demand. The specialist equipment needed has also made it difficult to deploy in the field.

"This is a virus that we know in a significant percent of the cases where it's being spread," said Williams.

"It's actually being spread through patients who are completely asymptomatic and feeling well. We need to do testing at a very widespread level to test a large part of the population and to test frequently and to get the results back quickly. 

"If you find out that somebody had the virus, but it takes three or four days to get the results, it's really more of a historical record than actionable information. You need to be able to identify the patient on the spot so that you can quarantine and do contact tracing."

Scientists at Columbia University had been able to take advantage of genetic testing research for fertility, and this has given them a head start in producing a fast and effective test using enzymes.

The test is going through the approval process and it is hoped it will be ready later this year.

Williams added: "The ability of the test to save lives comes from its ability to test people before they're symptomatic and before they're starting to spread it to others. And by identifying those people and being able to put them into quarantine and to contact tracing, you can actually prevent the spread to those who are susceptible and at risk into the larger public if you can contain this virus. 

"It can't reproduce on its own. It needs us to spread it to each other. And so we need to find out who are the people that are at risk and spreading it. And that's how we can stop the virus in its tracks."

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