Table 2.

Clinically significant specimens collected for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, as of April 22, 2020.

Type of Specimen	Extraction Method	Who can collect	Transport Container and Medium
Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab	A swab goes through a nostril into the nasopharynx, held, rotated and removed	Healthcare Provider Only	Sterile tubes containing 2–3 ml of viral transport media
Oropharyngeal (OP)/throat swab	A swab goes through the mouth to the posterior pharynx, rubbed against the pharynx and tonsillar pillars, then removed	Healthcare Provider Only	Sterile tubes containing 2–3 ml of viral transport media
Nasal mid-turbinate (NMT) swab	A swab goes through a nostril to the mid-turbinate, held briefly, then rotated and removed	Healthcare Provider or onsite self-swab	Transport tube containing either viral or Amies transport medium, or sterile saline
Anterior nares/nasal swab	A swab goes into one nostril and is rubbed against the nostril wall, then used on the second nostril	Healthcare Provider or onsite self-swab	Transport tube containing either viral or Amies transport medium, or sterile saline
Nasopharyngeal wash/aspirate	A tube is guided through the nose to the nasopharynx, where a Saline solution is instilled and immediately aspirated	Healthcare Provider Only	Sterile, leak-proof, screw-cap sputum collection cup or sterile dry container.
Sputum	The patient rinses their mouth with water and then expectorates deep cough sputum	Onsite patient collection	Sterile, leak-proof, screw-cap sputum collection cup or sterile dry container.
Tracheal aspirate	A catheter goes through the mouth to the trachea, where saline solution is instilled and immediately aspirated	Healthcare Provider Only	2–3 mL in a sterile, leak-proof, screw-cap sputum collection cup or sterile dry container.
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BL)	A bronchoscope goes through the mouth and into the lungs, where saline solution is instilled and immediately aspirated	Healthcare Provider Only	2–3 mL in a sterile, leak-proof, screw-cap sputum collection cup or sterile dry container.
Whole Blood	A needle is used for venipuncture of a viable vein, and blood is drawn out	Healthcare Provider Only	A sterile tube
Serum	Whole blood is drawn, left at room temperature until clotting, then centrifuged. Resulting supernatant is collected as serum	Healthcare Provider Only	A sterile tube
Plasma	Whole blood is drawn into a tube with anticoagulant and centrifuged; resulting supernatant is collected as plasma	Healthcare Provider Only	A sterile tube containing an anticoagulant