Test ID SCOFR Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA, Influenza Virus Type A and Type B RNA, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) RNA Detection by PCR, Varies
Ordering Guidance
Due to the non-specific clinical presentation of COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus during the early stages of flu-like illness, concurrent testing for these 4 respiratory tract viral pathogens may be warranted.
For the most up-to-date information and testing recommendations, visit:
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/index.htm
www.cdc.gov/rsv/clinical/index.html#lab
Shipping Instructions
Ship specimens refrigerated (if less than 72 hours from collection to arrive at Mayo Clinic Laboratories [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)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Sterile polyester swab
Acceptable: Dacron-tipped swab with plastic shaft
Submission 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. For more information on OP swab specimen collection, see COVID-19 Oropharyngeal Collection Instructions
2. NP and OP swab specimens may be combined at collection into a single vial of transport media but only 1 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.
Useful For
Simultaneous detection and differentiation of COVID-19 (due to SARS-CoV-2), influenza A, influenza B, and respiratory syncytial viral infection in a single upper respiratory tract specimen from an individual with flu-like illness
See following websites on indications and recommendations for testing:
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Profile Information
Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
---|---|---|---|
COFLU | SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A+B PCR, V | Yes | Yes |
Additional Tests
Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
---|---|---|---|
RSVQL | RSV RNA PCR Detect, V | Yes | Yes |
Testing Algorithm
For more 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, Flu A+B, and RSV 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
2 to 3 daysPerforming Laboratory

Test Classification
See Individual Test IDsCPT Code Information
87636-COFLU
87634-RSVQL
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
SCOFR | SARS-CoV-2, Flu A+B, and RSV PCR, V | 95941-1 |
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 |