Covid-19 Symptomatic Testing

Description: 
The COVID-19 symptomatic testing assay is an in vitro nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid (NAAT) from specific SARS-CoV-2 gene sequences Orf1a & Orf8 by multiplex tandem PCR. It is intended for use as an aid in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infections. This assay is available Mon to Sun.
Clinical details: 
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Most people infected with SARS-CoV-2 will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. See GSTT action card 10 symptomatic testing.
Related condition or disease: 
Respiratory infection, influenza, COVID-19
Reference range: 

Not applicable

Synonyms or keywords: 
SARS-CoV-2, Coronavirus
Units: 
Qualitative Test - Detected/Not Detected
Department: 
Infection Sciences Department
Location: 
St Thomas' Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
Nose & Throat Swabs (NTS), and Post Mortem Lung Swabs using a standard viral swab in Universal Transport Medium (UTM). Nasopharyngeal Aspirate (NPA), Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL), Endotracheal Tract (ETT) Secretions, and Induced Sputum: using a self-sealed valved container with no additives. Expectorated sputum is not suitable. Stool: using a sterile universal container with no added fluids or transport medium.
Fluid volumes required: >1ml in a sterile universal.
Turnaround time: 
1 working day. This assay is run on demand 7 days a week. Samples received before 9am can be reported the same day. Contact the GSTT Viapath Virology lab for any urgent requests. Patients are informed of the result by SMS message, a mobile phone number must be provided during EPR test requesting.
Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Storage and transport: 
Place labelled sample in a sealed sample bag and send to Central Specimen Reception (CSR). Samples should be sent to CSR promptly as the sensitivity of assays that detect RNA/DNA depend on sample quality/integrity. Please store samples in a refrigerator if there is a delay in sending samples to CSR. Do not send via the Chute system.
Contacts:
Infection Sciences Department at St Thomas' Hospital
020 7188 8008
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Core opening hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1730


For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Virology Laboratory at St Thomas'

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Last updated: 06/10/2023