SARS CoV-2 (synonyms: COVID-19, novel coronavirus)
| Category | Virology |
|---|---|
| Test background |
PCR test for the new coronavirus, the disease is known as COVID-19 |
| Clinical Indications |
Patients presenting with respiratory tract disease, and fulfilling the PHE criteria for testing |
| Reference range | Detected or NOT detected |
| Sample & container required | Respiratory samples (NPA, nose and throat swab, BAL and ETTs). Virology swab or universal container |
| Sample volume | 0.5 mL |
| Sample collection | Apply recommended Infection Prevention and Control precautions |
| Transport storage | Standard courier |
| Turnaround time | 24 hrs |
| Notes | Daily testing This test is fully validated for clinical use. However, the laboratory is not yet UKAS accredited for this test. When performed on the Aus Diagnostics platform, the method may include an extraction step or it may be performed using heat inactivation in place of the extraction step. Information on whether the test was run with or without extraction is held locally and is available on request. |