Table 1: Table shows various types of specimens taken for COVID-19 patients and their appropriate temperature for transport and storage.

Specimen Type Collection Material Transport to Laboratory Storage Until Testing
Nasopharyngeal and Oropharyngeal Swabs Dacron or polyester flocked swabs 2-8 °C < 5 d, 2-8 °C
> 5 d, -70 °C (dry ice)
Bronchoalveolar lavages Sterile container 2-8 °C < 48 h, 2-8 °C
> 48 h, -70 °C (dry ice)
Endotracheal aspirates, nasopharyngeal or nasal wash Sterile container 2-8 °C < 48 h, 2-8 °C
> 48 h, -70 °C (dry ice)
Sputum Sterile container 2-8 °C < 48 h, 2-8 °C
> 48 h, -70 °C (dry ice)
Tissue from biopsy or autopsy including from the lung Sterile container with saline 2-8 °C < 24 h, 2-8 °C
> 24 h, -70 °C (dry ice)
Serum Serum separator tubes (in adults collect 3-5 ml whole blood) 2-8 °C < 5 d, 2-8 °C
> 5 d, -70 °C (dry ice)
Whole blood Collection tube 2-8 °C < 5 d, 2-8 °C
> 5 d, -70 °C (dry ice)
Stool Stool container 2-8 °C < 5 d, 2-8 °C
> 5 d, -70 °C (dry ice)
Urine Urine collection container 2-8 °C < 5 d, 2-8 °C
> 5 d, -70 °C (dry ice)