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HelpTest Code COVOOM Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA Detection, Varies
Additional Codes
MAYO: COVOO
EPIC: LAB1979
Ordering Guidance
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 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 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
610012Useful 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.
Special Instructions
Method Name
Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
Reporting Name
SARS Coronavirus 2 RNA, PCR, VSpecimen Type
VariesSpecimen 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, wooden shaft swab, or swab
collection tubes containing gel or charcoal additive. Transport media tubes containing the entire swab (shaft and knob attached) Glass transport media tubes Bloody specimen |
Reject |
| Thawed | Cold OK; Warm reject |
Reference Values
Undetected
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
1 to 3 daysPerforming 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.