Specimen Collection

• Viruses are usually intracellular 
• To detect a virus in a specimen you need to collect cells
• Specimens of choice for COVID-19 testing:
• Upper respiratory samples for ambulatory patients
• Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal (In children may be alternative)*
• Lower respiratory samples preferred (viral yield may increase)
• In patients with severe disease of  radiographic evidence 
• Clinical diagnosis of lower respiratory tract disease, in certain  situations, if results will impact clinical interventions
• Sputum (if produced)
• Endotracheal aspirate
• Broncho alveolar lavage 

For detailed collection procedure see PHEOC COVID-19 SOPs for sample collection