COVID-19 Virus Testing by RT-PCR

Test Type

Molecular

Test Disease

COVID-19 Infection

Test Technology

RT-PCR

Clinical Utility

Diagnostic

Test Specimen

Oropharyngeal (OP) collection in viral transport medium, ESwab™, or saline. Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs also accepted in viral transport medium (discard OP swab included with viral transport medium), ESwab™, or saline. OP or NP washes/aspirates in sterile cups. Bronchial washing or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens in sterile cups.
Additional specimens accepted include mid-turbinate swabs, nasal swabs, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and nasopharyngeal aspirate (nasal aspirate).

Specimen Collection

Any swab of appropriate size and configuration with a synthetic tip and shaft can be used except for calcium alginate tips, swabs with preservatives, and swabs with wood or paper shafts.
Viral transport medium acceptable for collection of influenza specimens in 1 mL or 3 mL volumes can be used to transport swabs for COVID-19 testing.
For swabs in saline:
OP or NP swabs may be placed in 1 to 3 mL of sterile saline (0.85 to 0.9%) in a sterile screw cap container.
Do not use vacutainer or "pop-top" tubes.
Sterile cups are acceptable for OP or NP washes/aspirates, bronchial washings, or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens.

Reporting

Test Storage

Room temperature swabs are acceptable (if received within 24 hours of collection).
Frozen swabs at -20° C are acceptable.

Transport Conditions

Ship frozen (-20°C), Refrigerated (4°C) acceptable if received in 72 hours, Room Temperature if received within 24 hours

Rejection Criteria

Specimens collected with: cotton-tip, Calcium Alginate or wood shaft swabs; or in Urinary or Vaginal transport media; Refrigerated samples greater than 72 hours old; Room temperature swabs greater than 24 hours old; Improperly labeled, grossly contaminated, broken or leaking transport device; Collection with substances inhibitory to PCR including heparin, hemoglobin, ethanol, EDTA concentrations >0.01M; Specimens submitted in glass tubes/containers.

Turnaround Time (TAT)

>24 hours

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