Interim guidelines for collecting, handling, and testing clinical specimens for COVID-19 : interim guidelines for collecting, handling, and testing clinical specimens from persons for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (U.S.). Division of Viral Diseases.
• Description:
  Updated Feb. 26, 2021 ; • The type of specimen collected when testing for current or past infection with SARS-CoV-2 is based on the test being performed and its manufacturer’s instructions. Some of the specimen types listed below will not be appropriate for all tests. ; • For initial diagnostic testing for current SARS-CoV-2 infections, CDC recommends collecting and testing an upper respiratory specimen. ; • This guidance is intended for healthcare providers or health department staff who are collecting specimens from others in a healthcare setting or at the point-of-care. Guidance for self-collection of specimens can be found here. ; CDC has guidance for who should be tested, but decisions about who should be tested are at the discretion of STLT health departments and/or healthcare providers. Testing for other pathogens by the provider should be done as part of the initial evaluation, as indicated, but should not delay testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
• Content Notes:
  Collecting and Handling Specimens Safely -- Respiratory Specimen Collection -- Handling Bulk-Packaged Sterile Swabs Properly for Upper Respiratory Specimen Collection -- Storing and Shipping Respiratory Specimens -- Capillary Fingerstick Specimen Collection -- Additional Resources.
• Subjects:
  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques
  • Containment of Biohazards
  • Coronavirus Infections/diagnosis
  • COVID-19
  • Safety
  • Specimen Handling
• Document Type:
  Webpage
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/104491/cdc_104491_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 287.85 KB]
• Collection(s):
  Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:95f8d184a77b2ebdffe23d66419e77dd3035635270fb73fc8e69444ec42442fb