1) Take out the sampling tube and swab. Before sampling, mark the relevant sample information on the label of the preservation tube or attach the bar code label.
2) Take out the sample swab and collect sample with the swab at corresponding part according to different sampling requirements.
3. A) Throat specimen collection: First, press the tongue with a tongue spatula, then extend the head of the swab into the throat and wipe the bilateral pharyngeal tonsils and the posterior pharyngeal wall, and gently rotate to take full sample.
3. B) Nasal specimen collection: Measure the distance from the tip of the nose to the earlobe with a swab and mark it with your finger. Insert the swab into the nasal cavity in the direction of the nose (face). The swab should be extended at least half the length from the earlobe to the tip of the nose. Keep the swab in the nose for 15-30 seconds. Gently rotate the swab 3-5 times and take out the swab.
4) Place the swab into the storage tube immediately after collecting sample, break off the swab; dip the head of the swab in the preservation solution, discard the sampling handle and tighten the cap.
5) Freshly collected samples should be transported to the laboratory within 48 hours. If it is used for viral nucleic acid detection, nucleic acid should be extracted and purified as soon as possible. If long-term storage is needed, it should be stored at -40~-70℃ (the stable storage time and conditions should be verified by each laboratory according to the final experimental purpose).
6) In order to improve the detection rate and increase the viral load of the collected samples, samples from throat and nose can be collected simultaneously and put into one sampling tube for examination.
