Specimens
- Nasal/Throat swabs collected using BD dry swabs/Remel M4RT/Copan 321C UTM or Copan 147C / Citoswab or miraclean swabs.
- Samples should be taken from symptomatic patients between days 1-5 from onset of symptoms.
- Specimens should be sent to the laboratory at ambient temperature in Category B packaging and labelled as containing HIGH RISK specimen.
- For best results, please send samples on the day they are taken. However, samples are stable at ambient temperature for 7 days.
The assay
Infection with SARS-CoV-2, an RNA virus, is diagnosed using reverse-transcriptase real-time PCR. The assays used at TDL show a minimum sensitivity of 98% and a specificity of 100%, with no cross-reactivity with other viruses.
Specimens
- SST/Serum
- Testing should be undertaken 14 days or more following exposure or onset of symptoms.
The assay
The persistence of IgG antibodies allows identification of people who have been infected by SARS-CoV-2.
Image: CDC/ Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAMS
Test information
| Test name |
|---|
| COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Abbott IgG Antibody NEW |
| COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA by PCR NEW |
Contact us
To discuss this test, please contact:
Annette Wilkinson, The Doctors Laboratory, The Halo Building,1 Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9AX
Tel: +44 (0)20 7307 7373 E-mail: tdl@tdlpathology.com