Test ID COFLU Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA and Influenza Virus Type A and Type B RNA Detection, PCR, Varies
Ordering Guidance
Due to the nonspecific clinical presentation of COVID-19 and influenza during the early stages of illness, concurrent testing for these 3 respiratory tract viral pathogens may be warranted.
For the most up-to-date testing recommendations, visit:
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/testing.htm
Shipping Instructions
Specimen Required
Specimen Type: Nasopharyngeal (NP), nasal mid-turbinate, or nares/nasal swab
Supplies: Swab, Sterile Polyester (T507)
Container/Tube: Universal transport media, viral transport media, or equivalent (eg, Copan UTM-RT, BD VTM, MicroTest M4, M4-RT, M5)
Media should not contain guanidine thiocyanate (GTC).
For more information on acceptable transport media, see www.fda.gov/medical-devices/emergency-situations-medical-devices/faqs-diagnostic-testing-sars-cov-2
Specimen Volume: Entire specimen with a minimum of 1.5 mL (maximum 3 mL) of transport media
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect specimen by swabbing back and forth over nasal mucosa surface to maximize recovery of cells.
2. Swab must be placed into transport medium. Swab shaft should be broken or cut so that there is no obstruction to the sample or pressure on the media container cap.
3. Do not send in glass tubes, vacutainer tubes, or tubes with push caps.
4. Do not overfill with more than 3 mL total volume of media.
Specimen Type: Nasopharyngeal aspirate or nasal washings
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: Minimum of 1.5 mL
Additional Information: Do not aliquot into viral transport media, glass tubes, vacutainer tubes, or tubes with push caps.
Useful For
Detection and differentiation of COVID-19 illness (due to SARS-CoV-2) and influenza A and B viral infection in a single test using upper respiratory tract specimens
See following websites on indications and recommendations for testing:
Testing Algorithm
For information, see Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Testing Algorithm
Special Instructions
Method Name
Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
Reporting Name
SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A+B PCR, VSpecimen Type
VariesSpecimen Minimum Volume
See Specimen Required
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Varies | Frozen (preferred) | 14 days | |
Refrigerated | 72 hours |
Reference Values
Undetected
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
1 to 3 daysPerforming Laboratory

Test Classification
This test has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
87636
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
COFLU | SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A+B PCR, V | 95380-2 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
610295 | Influenza A RNA PCR | In Process |
610296 | Influenza B RNA PCR | In Process |
610294 | SARS CoV-2 RNA PCR | 94500-6 |
CFLUS | SARS-CoV-2 & Flu A/B Specimen Source | 31208-2 |
CFRAC | Patient Race | 72826-1 |
CFETH | Patient Ethnicity | 69490-1 |