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HelpTest ID COVID Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA Detection, PCR, Varies
Ordering Guidance
Due to the non-specific clinical presentation of COVID-19 during the early stages of illness, testing for other respiratory tract infections (eg, influenza) may be warranted.
For the most up to date COVID-19 epidemiology and testing recommendations, visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Shipping Instructions
Ship specimens refrigerated (if less than 72 hours from collection to arrive at MCL) or frozen (if greater or equal to 72 hours from collection to arrive at MCL).
Specimen Required
Specimen Type: Nasopharyngeal (NP), oropharyngeal (OP ie, throat), nasal mid-turbinate, or nares/nasal swab
Supplies:
-Swab, Sterile Polyester, 10 per package (T507)
-Dacron-tipped swab with plastic shaft is acceptable
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 or pharyngeal mucosa surface to maximize recovery of cells.
2. NP and OP swab specimens may be combined at collection into a single vial of transport media but only one swab is required for analysis.
3. 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.
4. Do not send in glass tubes, vacutainer tubes, or tubes with push caps.
5. 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.
Specimen Type: Lower respiratory tract
Sources: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, bronchial washings, endotracheal aspirate, sputum
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 of COVID-19 illness due to SARS-CoV-2
Recommended only for patients who meet current clinical and/or epidemiologic criteria defined by federal, state, or local public health directives: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Method Name
Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
Reporting Name
SARS Coronavirus 2 PCR Detect, 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
Same day/1 to 3 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is modified from the manufacturer's instructions with a bridging study. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
87635
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| COVID | SARS Coronavirus 2 PCR Detect, V | 94500-6 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 608827 | SARS-CoV-2 RNA by PCR | 94500-6 |
| CVDS | SARS-CoV-2 Specimen Source | 31208-2 |
| CRACE | Patient Race | 72826-1 |
| CETHN | Patient Ethnicity | 69490-1 |