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Test Code COVOOM Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA Detection, Varies

Additional Codes

MAYO: COVOO

EPIC: LAB1979


Advisory Information


Due to the non-specific clinical presentation of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during the early stages of illness, testing for other respiratory tract infections (eg, influenza) may be warranted.

 

For the most up-to-date COVID-19 epidemiology and testing recommendations, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html



Shipping Instructions


Ship specimens refrigerated (if less than 72 hours from collection to arrive at MCL) or frozen (if 72 hours or more from collection to arrive at MCL).



Specimen Required


Specimen Type: Nasopharyngeal (NP), oropharyngeal (OP; ie, throat), nasal mid-turbinate, or nares/nasal swab

Supplies: Swab, Sterile Polyester (T507)

Container/Tube: Universal transport media, viral transport media, or equivalent (eg, Copan UTM-RT, BD VTM, MicroTest M4, M4-RT, M5)

Media should not contain guanidine thiocyanate (GTC).

For more information on acceptable transport media, see https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/emergency-situations-medical-devices/faqs-diagnostic-testing-sars-cov-2

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen with a minimum of 1.5 mL (maximum 3 mL) of transport media.

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect specimen by swabbing back and forth over nasal or pharyngeal mucosa surface to maximize recovery of cells. For more information on OP swab specimen collection, see COVID-19 Oropharyngeal Collection Instructions in Special Instructions.

2. NP and OP swab specimens may be combined at collection into a single vial of transport media but only one swab is required for analysis.

3. Swab must be placed into transport medium. Swab shaft should be broken or cut so that there is no obstruction to the sample or pressure on the media container cap.

4. Do not send in glass tubes, vacutainer tubes, or tubes with push caps.

5. Do not overfill with more than 3 mL total volume of media.

 

Specimen Type: Nasopharyngeal aspirate or nasal washings

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: Minimum of 1.5 mL

Additional Information: Do not aliquot into viral transport media, glass tubes, vacutainer tubes, or tubes with push caps.


Secondary ID

610012

Useful For

Diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) illness due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)

 

Recommended only for patients who meet current clinical and/or epidemiologic criteria defined by federal, state, or local public health directives: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/hcp/clinical-criteria.html

Method Name

Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

Reporting Name

SARS Coronavirus 2 RNA, PCR, V

Specimen Type

Varies

Specimen Minimum Volume

See Specimen Required

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Varies Frozen (preferred) 14 days
  Refrigerated  72 hours

Reject Due To

Calcium alginate-tipped swab, wood shaft swab, or transport swab containing gel or charcoal additive Reject
Transport media tubes containing the entire swab (shaft and knob attached) Reject
Glass transport media tubes Reject

Reference Values

Undetected

Day(s) and Time(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday; Varies

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

U0003

U0005-(If applicable)

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
COVOO SARS Coronavirus 2 RNA, PCR, V 94500-6

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
CVOOS SARS-CoV-2 Specimen Source 31208-2
CRACE Patient Race 72826-1
CETHN Patient Ethnicity 69490-1
610013 SARS-CoV-2 RNA 94500-6
610016 Method Summary 62364-5

Testing Algorithm

See Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Testing Algorithm in Special Instructions.

 

In response to the new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) payment strategy for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnostic testing, a bill-only code will be added for orders that meet the new CMS turn-around-time requirement. For additional information refer to www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-changes-medicare-payment-support-faster-covid-19-diagnostic-testing.

Reflex Tests

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
TATCH TAT <=2 days additional charge No, (Bill Only) No

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a General Request (T239) with the specimen.