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Specimen Type: |
Nasopharyngeal swab (NPS); Endotracheal aspirate (ETA/ETT); sputum (SPU).
If NPS not available, combined throat/nasal swab; deep nasal/mid-nasal turbinate swab (THRNOS)
For the detection of COVID-19 ONLY, order COVID19 (Dovetale: COVID-19 PCR)
As an alternative to a NPS (e.g. patient refusal, frequent repeat testing), a combined oral/deep nasal swab (NASMOU), combined throat/nasal (THRNOS) or deep nasal/mid-nasal turbinate swab (THRNOS) is acceptable.
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Collection Information: |
Samples DO NOT need a Yellow Alert Sticker attached.
Specimens should be collected using McMaster Molecular Media (MMM) and the appropriate swab (with the breakpoint as 80mm): use a flocked nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) swab for NPS specimen, use a flocked nasal-type swab (NS) for other specimen types. The smaller NPS swab can be used to collect to the oral/nasal specimen in younger children. See details in the Memo "Alternative Swabs and Transport Media for COVID-19 testing." Transport immediately at room temperature.
See details on how to collect an oral/deep nasal swab under Educational Resources.
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Required Information: |
A PHOL requisition is NOT required.
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Turnaround Time: |
within 24 hours
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Additional Information: |
COVID-19 ONLY testing is indicated when a FULL multiplex respiratory panel is not required.
When a FULL respiratory virus panel is required, e.g. high-risk in-patients, pediatric in-patients, order CVIRNPS on NPS and CVIRBAL on BAL specimens. COVID-19 is included in the full respiratory panel and should not be ordered separately.
Cases of COVID-19 will be reported to the Medical Officer of Health.
Positive samples will be tested for Variants of Concern (VOCs) by a laboratory developed PCR assay and selected specimens sent for sequencing, according to algorithms established by Public Health Ontario.
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Method of Analysis: |
Testing for COVID-19 is done by real-time PCR using protocols validated by St. Joseph’s Virology.
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Test was Last Updated: |
5/17/2021
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Testing Laboratory: |
Virology/Molecular
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Testing Site: |
SJHH
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Laboratory Processing Instructions: |
Samples should be sent to the Virology Laboratory, St Joseph’s Hospital ASAP by routine courier
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