Direct analyte-based tests for SARS-CoV-2 offer an attractive alternative solution to testing needs and possibly the only viable solution for most LMICs. Analyte tests, which detect the presence of viral proteins, can be directly conducted on biological samples, such as tissue swabbed from the anterior nasal cavity, oropharynx, or even directly on saliva. Such analyte tests already exist for influenza, strep throat, and other infectious diseases. Analyte tests in the LFA test format already have extremely high production capacities in the billions of units/year, are inexpensive and easy to use, return results in minutes, and crucially, like RT-PCR and unlike serological tests, can reveal an active infection.