Collect
Nasopharyngeal swab, nasal swab, or nasal wash/aspirate
Nasopharyngeal Swab: Insert swab into either nostril, passing into the posterior nasopharynx. Rotate swab by firmly brushing against the nasopharynx several times. Remove the swab and immediately place into viral transport media.
Nasal Swab: Insert swab 1 to 1.5cm into a nostril. Rotate swab against the side of the nostril several times, with a minimum of 3 seconds contact time, while applying pressure with finger to the outside of the nostril. Repeat the process in the other nostril with the same swab. Place the swab into viral transport media immediately upon collection.
Nasal Wash/Aspirate: using a clean transfer pipette, transfer 600µL of the wash/aspirate into viral transport media as soon as possible after the procedure.
Unacceptable Conditions
Frozen Samples and any sample not submitted in VTM.
Storage Transport Temp
15-30°C for 24 hours once in VTM
2-8°C for 7 days once in VTM
Frozen samples are not acceptable
Notes
This test is only offered for In-house testing.