Since SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes the pneumonia-like illness COVID-19, emerged at the end of last year, the virus has spread at an alarming rate, prompting the World Health Organization to declare the outbreak a pandemic and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to declare a public health emergency. Use these resources to help understand COVID-19 and be proactive about prevention.
See information for Patients and Health Professionals below.
The preferred sample is a swab collected from the back of your nose and throat (nasopharyngeal or NP swab). This is done by having you tip your head back, then the swab is gently inserted through a nostril until resistance is met (about 2 inches), then rotated several times and withdrawn. This may tickle a bit and cause the eyes to tear.
Visit the CDC webpage on Testing for COVID-19. You'll find a Coronavirus Self-checker, which is a guide to help you make decisions and seek appropriate medical care.
More information can also be found at the CDC's page on What To Do if You Are Sick.
Laboratory testing is playing a critical role in efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic, whether it’s by diagnosing patients with the novel coronavirus or screening the general public to determine the full extent of the outbreak. AACC asked leading laboratory experts to answer the most common questions about COVID-19 testing that we’ve been hearing from the public, so that people can better understand the testing for this virus and make informed decisions if they ever need to seek it out.
