1. COLLECT: Insert the tip of the swab 1-2 cm into one of the anterior nares. Rotate the swab against the nasal mucosa for about 3 seconds, and withdraw. Repeat with the other anterior nare, using the same swab. Do not let the swab touch any surface before placing it into the collection tube.
2. ALIGN: Remove the cap from the collection tube and lower the swab tip into the tube until the visible scoreline on the swab is aligned with the tube rim.
3. BREAK: Carefully leverage the swab shaft against the tube rim to break the swab shaft at the scoreline. Discard the broken off portion of the shaft.
4. CLOSE: Tightly re-cap the collection tube. The specimen is now ready for transport.
Collect
Nasopharyngeal Swab*
or
Nasal Swab* (healthcare worker or self-collected on-site)
Place swab in 3 mL UTM, VTM, 0.9% saline, or equivalent
*Flocked or polyester-tipped
Collect, Minimum Volume
1 mL
Specimen Preparation, Minimum Volume
1 mL minimum - swab in UTM, VTM, saline, or equivalent
Storage/Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Room temperature: 48 hours Refrigerated: 3 days Frozen: If delivery and processing of samples exceeds specified time periods, transport in dry ice and store at -70°C or colder
Unacceptable Conditions
ESwabs
Saliva
Oropharyngeal swabs
Tracheal aspirates
Sputum
BAL
Leaking specimens cannot be tested, and will be discarded
Performed
Sun-Sat
Reported
Within 24 hours of receipt in lab
Methodology
Real Time Reverse Transcription PCR
Reference Interval
Not detected
Interpretive Data
"Not detected" = NEGATIVE This means that the Coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 was not found. This result usually means you don't have COVID-19 (if you are tested 7 or more days after coming in contact with someone who had it). Rarely, it could mean you were one of those who tested "false negative". For the safety of yourself and others, if you have symptoms, even if you tested negative, please consider yourself as positive and isolate yourself until 10 days after the symptoms started AND 24 hours fever-free without the use of medications.
Lab Department
Molecular Diagnostics
Includes
SARS-COV-2
Influenza A
Influenza B
Synonyms
COVID
COVID-19
COVID19
COVID 19
SARS-CoV-2
Coronavirus
SARS CoV2
2019 nCov
Respiratory Viruses Panel, Rapid
Rapid Respiratory Panel by PCR
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV 2)
pan-Sarbecovirus
Influenza A
Influenza B
Flu A
Flu B
CPT Codes
87636 (LOINC 95422-2)
Updated
8/16/2023
Collecting
Special Instructions
1. COLLECT: Insert the tip of the swab 1-2 cm into one of the anterior nares. Rotate the swab against the nasal mucosa for about 3 seconds, and withdraw. Repeat with the other anterior nare, using the same swab. Do not let the swab touch any surface before placing it into the collection tube.
2. ALIGN: Remove the cap from the collection tube and lower the swab tip into the tube until the visible scoreline on the swab is aligned with the tube rim.
3. BREAK: Carefully leverage the swab shaft against the tube rim to break the swab shaft at the scoreline. Discard the broken off portion of the shaft.
4. CLOSE: Tightly re-cap the collection tube. The specimen is now ready for transport.
Collect
Nasopharyngeal Swab*
or
Nasal Swab* (healthcare worker or self-collected on-site)
Place swab in 3 mL UTM, VTM, 0.9% saline, or equivalent
*Flocked or polyester-tipped
Collect, Minimum Volume
1 mL
Specimen Preparation, Minimum Volume
1 mL minimum - swab in UTM, VTM, saline, or equivalent
Storage/Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Room temperature: 48 hours Refrigerated: 3 days Frozen: If delivery and processing of samples exceeds specified time periods, transport in dry ice and store at -70°C or colder
Unacceptable Conditions
ESwabs
Saliva
Oropharyngeal swabs
Tracheal aspirates
Sputum
BAL
Leaking specimens cannot be tested, and will be discarded
Resulting
Performed
Sun-Sat
Reported
Within 24 hours of receipt in lab
Methodology
Real Time Reverse Transcription PCR
Reference Interval
Not detected
Interpretive Data
"Not detected" = NEGATIVE This means that the Coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 was not found. This result usually means you don't have COVID-19 (if you are tested 7 or more days after coming in contact with someone who had it). Rarely, it could mean you were one of those who tested "false negative". For the safety of yourself and others, if you have symptoms, even if you tested negative, please consider yourself as positive and isolate yourself until 10 days after the symptoms started AND 24 hours fever-free without the use of medications.
Additional Information
Lab Department
Molecular Diagnostics
Includes
SARS-COV-2
Influenza A
Influenza B
Synonyms
COVID
COVID-19
COVID19
COVID 19
SARS-CoV-2
Coronavirus
SARS CoV2
2019 nCov
Respiratory Viruses Panel, Rapid
Rapid Respiratory Panel by PCR
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV 2)
