Home
HelpTest ID SCOV2 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2), Molecular Detection, Varies
Advisory Information
Due to the non-specific clinical presentation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the early stages of the illness, testing for other respiratory infections (eg, influenza) may be warranted.
For the most up-to-date severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemiology and testing recommendations, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Shipping Instructions
Specimen Required
Preferred:
Specimen Type: Nasopharyngeal swab (Eswabs are not acceptable)
Container/Tube: Sterile container with transport media
Specimen Volume: Swab in 3 mL of media
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect specimen by swabbing back and forth over mucosa surface to maximize recovery of cells.
2. Swab must be placed into viral transport media (eg, M4-RT, M4 or M5), saline, phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or minimum essential media (MEM). Media should not contain guanidine thiocyanate (GTC). For more information on acceptable transport media, see https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/emergency-situations-medical-devices/faqs-diagnostic-testing-sars-cov-2
Acceptable:
Specimen Type: Oropharyngeal (throat) swab, nasal mid-turbinate, or nares/nasal swab
Supplies:
-Culturette (BBL Culture Swab) (T092)
-Swab, Sterile Polyester (T507)
Container/Tube: Sterile container with transport media
Preferred: BBL Culture Swab (Eswabs are not acceptable)
Acceptable: Dacron-tipped swab with plastic handle
Specimen Volume: Swab in 3 mL of media
Collection Instructions: Swab must be placed into viral transport media (eg, M4-RT, M4, or M5), saline, PBS or MEM. Media should not contain guanidine thiocyanate (GTC). For more information on acceptable transport media, see https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/emergency-situations-medical-devices/faqs-diagnostic-testing-sars-cov-2
Specimen Type: Lower respiratory tract
Sources: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), bronchial washings, sputum, tracheal aspirate/secretion
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Additional Information: Do not aliquot into viral transport media.
Useful For
Detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)
This test should not be performed unless the patient meets clinical and epidemiologic criteria for testing.
Special Instructions
Method Name
Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
Reporting Name
SARS Coronavirus-2, PCR, VariesSpecimen Type
VariesSpecimen Minimum Volume
Swab in 0.5 mL of media
Lower respiratory specimens: 1 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varies | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days | |
| Frozen | 7 days |
Clinical Information
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Like other coronaviruses that infect humans, SARS-CoV-2 can cause both upper and lower respiratory tract illness. Symptoms can range from mild (ie, the common cold) to severe (ie, pneumonia) in both healthy and immunocompromised patients. SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs primarily via respiratory droplets. During the early stages of COVID-19 disease, the symptoms maybe nonspecific and resemble other common respiratory infections, such as influenza. If testing for other respiratory infections is negative, specific testing for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) may be warranted.
Reference Values
Undetected
Interpretation
A positive (detected) test result indicates that the patient is presumptively infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The test does not indicate the stage of infection. Laboratory test results should always be considered in the context of clinical observations and epidemiologic data in making a final diagnosis.
A negative (undetected) test result suggests that the patient is not infected with SARS-CoV-2; however, this may be influenced by the stage of the infection and the quality of the sample that was collected.
An indeterminate result suggests that the patient may have a very low amount of viral nucleic acid present in the sample that does not reach the threshold to be considered positive (detected) by the assay. Repeat testing on a new sample may be considered, if clinically indicated.
Clinical Reference
1. Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, et al: A Novel Coronavirus from Patients with Pneumonia in China, 2019. N Engl J Med 2020;382(8):727-733. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2001017
2. Patel A, Jernigan DB: Initial Public Health Response and Interim Clinical Guidance for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak United States, December 31, 2019 - February 4, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:140-146. doi: dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6905e1
3. Holshue M, DeBolt C, Lindquist S, et al: First Case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in the United States. N Engl J Med 2020 Jan 31. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2001191
4. Rodino KG, Espy MJ, Buckwalter SP, et al: Evaluation of saline, phosphate buffered saline and minimum essential medium as potential alternatives to viral transport media for SARS-CoV-2 testing. J Clin Microbiol 2020 Mar 30. doi: 10.1128/JCM.00590-20
Day(s) and Time(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Analytic Time
Same day/1 dayTest Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. Independent review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is pending.CPT Code Information
U0003 (Rochester)
87635 (Florida)
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| SCOV2 | SARS Coronavirus-2, PCR, Varies | 94500-6 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| COVS | SARS Coronavirus-2 Source | 31208-2 |
| 608442 | SARS Coronavirus-2, PCR | 94500-6 |
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a General Request (T239) with the specimen.