Covid-19 Asymptomatic Screening

Description: 
The COVID-19 asymptomatic screening assay is an in vitro nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) for the qualitative detection of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) from SARS-CoV-2, specifically targetting two conserved regions of the ORF1ab gene. 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, asymptomatic screening only.
Related condition or disease: 
Respiratory virus infection, influenza, coronavirus
Reference range: 

Not applicable

Synonyms or keywords: 
COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus
Units: 
Qualitative Test - Detected/Not Detected
Department: 
Infection Sciences Department
Location: 
St Thomas' Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
Nose and Throat Swab (NTS), Throat Swab (TS), Nose Swab (NS) using a standard viral swab in Universal Transport Medium (UTM).
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 communicated their result via SMS messaging to their mobile phone.
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