Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test

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Uses: Use to detect the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19

Method: Real-Time PCR, ELISA, Qualitative Nucleic Acid Amplification, Antibody (serology) test

Category: Viral Infections

Reference: COVID-19 test by RT-PCR: Positive: RNA specific to SARS-CoV-2 detected, Negative: RNA specific to SARS-CoV-2 not detected, Inconclusive: This could be due to the low viral load in the sample. A repeat sample is recommended for confirmation

COVID-19 IgG by ELISA: Negative: 0.7 Index or less
Indeterminate: 0.8-1.0 Index 
Positive: 1.1 Index or greater

Pre-test Information: Duly filled Covid-19 clinical information form (form 44) is mandatory.

Specimen: Submit oropharyngeal & nasopharyngeal Swab/ ET secretions/ BAL / Sputum inoculated in special viral transport medium. Duly filled Covid-19 documentation as mandated by GOI is mandatory. A blood sample is drawn from a vein or is collected from a fingerstick for an antibody test in Red tube.

Storage: Refrigerated

Stability: Stability Room: 2 hrs
Stability Refrigerated: 72 hrs
Stability Frozen: 1 month

Report: 1-5 days

More details: This test is useful for the detection of coronavirus. Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans. Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, an infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome and kidney failure. A negative result does not rule out the possibility of Covid-19 infection. Presence of inhibitors, mutations & insufficient RNA specific to SARS-CoV-2 can influence the test result. Kindly correlate the results with clinical findings. A negative result in a single upper respiratory tract sample does not rule out SARS-CoV-2 infection. Hence in such cases, a repeat sample should be sent. Covid-19 Test conducted as per kits approved by ICMR / CE-IVD / USFDA. Kindly consult referring Physician / Authorized hospitals for appropriate follow up. Also Known As Coronavirus 2019 Test SARS CoV-2 Test COVID-19 RT-PCR COVID-19 IgG, IgM antibody test SARS CoV-2 antigen test COVID-19 Ag test. Formal Name Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) RNA Detection by RT-PCR, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Antibody, Serum COVID-19 Antigen test.