What You Need to Know About Testing for COVID-19

Physicians and other healthcare providers anywhere in the U.S. can order LabCorp’s 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing. The testing detects the presence of the underlying virus that causes COVID-19 and is for use with patients who meet current guidance for evaluation of infection with COVID-19. Note: LabCorp does not collect specimens for COVID-19 testing. Patients for whom testing has been ordered should not be sent to a LabCorp location to have a specimen collected.

LabCorp COVID-19 Test Information

Information provided by LabCorp. Retrieved 04/05/2020. Information should be used with caution. Contact LabCorp for the most up to date resources.

2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), NAA

TEST: 139900 
CPT: AMA CPT 87635

Synonyms

  • 2019 Novel Coronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • SARS-CoV-2

Special Instructions

Please note: LabCorp does not currently collect specimens for this test. Patients for whom testing has been ordered should not be sent to a LabCorp location to have a specimen collected. Instead, an appropriate specimen should be collected at the health care facility where the patient was seen and the test was ordered. The specimen should be sent to LabCorp using standard procedures.

Please note: It takes approximately 4 – 5 days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to the release of the test result to the health care provider. Test results are most typically reported electronically, which generally allows for faster delivery. This time frame can vary based on demand, the length of time to transport the specimen to LabCorp’s test facilities, and the prioritization of the patients (as defined by heath care authorities and the White House Coronavirus Task Force, HHS and other health authorities). LabCorp is working continuously to support the needs of health care workers, patients, government, clients and other organizations, and expects capacity to continue to increase.


Expected Turnaround Time

4 – 5 days


Specimen Requirements


Specimen

Oropharyngeal (OP) collection in viral transport medium, ESwab™, or saline.

Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs also accepted in viral transport medium (discard OP swab included with viral transport medium), ESwab™, or saline.

OP or NP washes/aspirates in sterile cups.

Bronchial washing or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens in sterile cups.


Volume

1 mL


Minimum Volume

0.8 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)


Container

For swabs in viral transport medium or ESwab™:

Oropharyngeal (OP) samples: Swab included in viral transport medium or ESwab™ is acceptable for submission.

Nasopharyngeal (NP) samples: Use separate NP swab submitted in viral transport medium (discard OP swab included with viral transport medium or ESwab™).

Exact manufacturer of the swab and transport medium may vary with supply. Any swab of appropriate size and configuration with a synthetic tip can be used except for calcium alginate tips, swabs with preservatives, and swabs with wood shafts. Viral transport medium acceptable for collection of influenza specimens in 1 mL or 3 mL volumes can be used to transport swabs for COVID-19 testing.

For swabs in saline:

OP or NP swabs may be placed in 1 to 3 mL of sterile saline (0.85 to 0.9%) in a sterile screw cap container. Do not use vacutainer or “pop-top” tubes. Any swab of appropriate size and configuration with a cotton or synthetic tip can be used except for calcium alginate tips, swabs in preservatives, and swabs with wood shafts.

Sterile cups are acceptable for OP or NP washes/aspirates, bronchial washings, or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens.


Collection

To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.


Storage Instructions

Frozen at -20° C (preferred). Refrigerated specimens acceptable (if received for testing within 72 hours of collection). Room temperature swabs are acceptable (if received within 24 hours of collection).


Causes for Rejection

Cotton-tip swabs in UTM/VTM; swabs with calcium alginate; swabs with wooden shafts; refrigerated samples greater than 72 hours old; room temperature swabs greater than 24 hours old; improperly labeled, grossly contaminated, broken or leaking transport device; collection with substances inhibitory to PCR including heparin, hemoglobin, ethanol, EDTA concentrations >0.01M; specimens submitted in glass tubes/containers


Test Details


Use

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 to assist in the diagnosis of COVID-2019 infections.


Methodology

Nucleic Acid Amplification (NAA)


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CPT Statement/Profile Statement

The LOINC® codes are copyright © 1994-2020, Regenstrief Institute, Inc. and the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Committee. Permission is granted in perpetuity, without payment of license fees or royalties, to use, copy, or distribute the LOINC® codes for any commercial or non-commercial purpose, subject to the terms under the license agreement found at https://loinc.org/license/. Additional information regarding LOINC® codes can be found at LOINC.org, including the LOINC Manual, which can be downloaded at LOINC.org/downloads/files/LOINCManual.pdf

Information provided by LabCorp. Retrieved 04/05/2020. Information should be used with caution. Contact LabCorp for the most up to date resources.

Retrieved from https://www.labcorp.com/tests/139900/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-naa

Information provided by LabCorp. Retrieved 04/05/2020. Information should be used with caution. Contact LabCorp for the most up to date resources. 

Retrieved from https://www.labcorp.com/tests/139900/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-naa

LabCorp Sample Report

LabCorp COVID-19 Sample Report
View Sample Report

LabCorp Test Menu

LabCorp Test Menu Page for COVID-19
View Test Menu

Nasopharyngeal Wash Specimen Collection

LabCorp Nasopharyngeal Wash Specimen Collection Instructions for COVID-19 Testing
View Instructions

Nasopharyngeal Specimen Collection

LabCorp Nasopharyngeal (NP) Specimen Collection Instructions for COVID-19 Testing
View Instructions

COVID-19 Testing Q&A

LabCorp Q&A Resource for COVID-19 Testing
View Q&A

COVID-19 Test Kit Resources

Resources for collecting COVID-19 specimens including swabs, vials and transport medium.
Test Kit Resources

COVID-19 Provider Resources

Resources for providers related to COVID-19 testing, specimens, labs and insurance.
Provider Resources

Arizona COVID-19 Testing

Resources for Arizona residents wishing to have COVID-19 testing.
Arizona COVID-19 Testing