Table 3.

Specimens for COVID-19 testing (Source: [80]).

Types of specimens	Collection devices	Transport conditions	Storage conditions	Comments
Upper respiratory tract specimens: NP swab∗, OP swab∗, and NP aspirate	Dacron or flocked swabs in VTM	4 °C	Within 5 d: 4 °C Longer than 5 d: 70 °C
Lower respiratory tract specimen: sputum∗	Sterile container	4 °C	Within 48 h: 4 °C Longer than 48 h: 70 °C
Lower respiratory tract specimen: bronchial washing∗	Sterile container	4 °C	Within 48 h: 4 °C Longer than 48 hs: 70 °C	Pathogens might be diluted; however, the specimen can be subjected to diagnostic testing
Lower respiratory tract specimens: tracheal aspirate and transtracheal aspirate	Sterile container	4 °C	Within 48 h: 4 °C Longer than 48 h: 70 °C
Lower respiratory tract specimen: lung biopsy	Sterile container with saline	4 °C	Within 48 h: 4 °C Longer than 48 h: 70 °C
Serum†	Serum separation test tube (SST): adults and children, 3–5 mL; infants, 1 mL	4 °C	Within 5 d: 4 °C Longer than 5 d: 70 °C	For serological tests, a pair of specimens is collected Acute phase: within 7 d of symptom onset Convalescent period: 14 d after collection during acute phase Dispensing of serum into another container should be conducted in a Class II or higher BSC