COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) real-time PCR

CMDL > COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) real-time PCR

Intended Use

To qualitatively detect the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) using Real time PCR.

Specimen Required

Nasopharyngeal swab, Oropharyngeal swab, Nasal swab, or Saliva

Patient Preparation
  • Patient: Patients should not eat or drink for 30 minutes prior to providing a saliva sample.
    • Sample Collection: Nasopharyngeal swab, oropharyngeal swab, nasal swab, or saliva
    • Specimen Preparation:
  • Nasopharyngeal, Oropharyngeal, or Nasal Swab: Place in viral transport media. Place each specimen in an individually sealed bag.
  • Saliva: Transport in COVID-19 Transport Media Saliva Collection Tube
  • Storage/Transport Temperature: Frozen
  • Unacceptable Conditions:
    • Undiluted saliva.
    • Swabs not in media.
    • Wood swabs, calcium alginate swabs.
    • Specimens in glass tubes.
  • Remarks: Proper aseptic technique and sample handling are critical to avoid contamination or degradation. Specimen source required
  • Stability:
    • Swabs: Ambient: 2 days; Refrigerated: 2 days; Frozen: 1 month
    • Saliva: Ambient: 5 days; Refrigerated: 5 days, Frozen: 5 days
Methodology

The test uses a qualitative real time PCR to detect and identify the presence of SARS-CoV-2.

Sample Received to Report Turnaround Time (TAT)

Twice in a week (Scheduled Test)

Reference Interval

–

Interpretive Data

Refer to the Report.

Resources

  • Additional Technical Information
  • Test Request Form

Sample Reports

  • Enhanced Report
  • See report