Swabs for Coronavirus Testing
Since respiratory symptoms can be a sign of a cold, the flu or, under certain conditions, the COVID-19 infection, laboratory tests are required for accurate diagnosis. Currently, all diagnostic testing is being conducted at the CDC.
Based on CDC guidelines for clinical specimens, swabs with synthetic fibers and plastic shafts, like our flock swabs, should be used for nasopharyngeal collections when COVID-19 is suspected. It’s important not to use calcium alginate swabs or those with wooden shafts as they may contain materials that interfere with test results.
The tubes used should be sterile and contain 2 – 3 ml of viral transport media.
These Puritan products meet the CDC criteria:
- UT-300: UniTranz-RT 3ml Universal Transport Solution
- 25-3317-U: PurFlock Ultra 6″ Sterile Ultrafine Flock Swab w/Polystyrene Handle, 100mm Breakpoint
Please contact us if you need a specific product, we are meeting many customers’ unique requests.