Due to the recent 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we have
been getting many inquiries about what type of swabs, media, and kits
should be used for COVID-19 sample collection prior to testing. Below we
have a short guide on which COPAN products meet the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens for Coronavirus investigations.

Which Type of Swab Should be Used to Collect Samples to Test for Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

As outlined in the CDC guidelines for the collection and handling of
clinical specimens suspected of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), for
upper respiratory tract samples, health workers should only use synthetic fiber swabs with plastic shafts, like COPAN FLOQSwabs®.
It is important not to use calcium alginate swabs or swabs with wooden
shafts when testing for COVID-19. These swabs can contain substances
that inactivate some viruses and can inhibit PCR testing [1]. 

How Should Collection Kits be Used for Coronavirus (COVID-19) Testing?

In the CDC Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing
Clinical Specimens from Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) for
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the CDC recommends taking a nasopharyngeal AND oropharyngeal
swab (NP/OP swab) from PUI for COVID-19 for upper respiratory tract
samples. The CDC guidelines also direct healthcare workers to place
swabs immediately into sterile tubes containing 2-3 ml of viral
transport media, like COPAN UTM® Universal Transport Medium
[1]. It is important to note that each swab should be placed
individually in separate vials to avoid possible specimen rejection by
testing laboratories.

COVID-19 Sample Collection Kits and Components that Meet the CDC’s Guidelines

COPAN makes COVID-19 collection and transport kits that are compatible with the CDC-recommended configuration that pairs 3mL of UTM® universal viral transport medium and a nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal flocked swab.

Also, Healthcare Providers can quickly assemble in-house sample
collection kits and place the items in a Ziploc/Minigrip bag for
distribution using the following COPAN item numbers:

UTM® 330C – 3 mL UTM® Medium in 16x100mm Tube

FLOQSwabs® 503CS01 – Flexible Minitip (Nasopharyngeal) Flocked Swab with 100mm Breakpoint

FLOQSwabs® 519CS01** – Regular Flocked (Oropharyngeal) Swab with 100mm Breakpoint

Distributor Links:

** It is important to note that each swab should be placed individually in separate vials to avoid possible specimen rejection by testing laboratories.

Also available from Hardy Diagnostics:

Viral Transport Medium, 3ml, No Swab Included: For the collection and transport of clinical specimens for the recovery of viral agents including, but not limited to, Herpes Simplex Type I, Herpes Simplex Type II, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Influenza A, Influenza B, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Echovirus, Adenovirus, etc. Viral Transport Medium consists of Modified Hank's Balanced Salt Solution, supplemented with animal protein and sucrose for virus stabilization. A buffer solution is used to maintain pH at 7.3 +/- 0.2. Phenol red is the pH indicator. Selective agents are added to inhibit bacterial and fungal contaminants. The medium acts as a cryoprotectant to ensure virus stabilization through freezing and thawing.

Cat. no. R99, Manufactured by Hardy Diagnostics, 20 per box, Storage 2-8°C before inoculation/ 2-30°C once inoculated for up to 48 hours or -70°C for long-term storage.

Current Demand Exceeds Supply. When you place an order, please state your daily testing volume needs. We will make every attempt to allocate available supply to meet your daily requirements.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, February 14). Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Guidelines for Clinical Specimens. Retrieved February 27, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/lab/guidelines-clinical-specimens.html

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Article contributed by COPAN USA. See the original post here