  The sudden rise of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
(SARS-CoV-2) pandemic early 2020 throughout the world has called into drastic
action measures to do instant detection and reduce the spread rate. The common
diagnostics testing methods has been only partially effective in satisfying the
booming demand for fast detection methods to contain the further spread.
However, the point-of-risk accurate diagnosis of this new emerging viral
infection is paramount as simultaneous normal working operation and dealing
with symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 can become the norm for years to come. Sensitive
cost-effective biosensor with mass production capability is crucial throughout
the world until a universal vaccination become available. Optical label-free
biosensors can provide a non-invasive, extremely sensitive rapid detection
technique up to ~1 fM concentration along with few minutes sensing. These
biosensors can be manufactured on a mass-scale (billions) to detect the
COVID-19 viral load in nasal, saliva, urinal, and serological samples even if
the infected person is asymptotic. Methods investigated here are the most
advanced available platforms for biosensing optical devices resulted from the
integration of state-of-the-art designs and materials. These approaches are
including but not limited to integrated optical devices, plasmonic resonance
and also emerging nanomaterial biosensors. The lab-on-a-chip platforms examined
here are suitable not only for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein detection but also
other contagious virions such as influenza, and middle east respiratory
syndrome (MERS).
