Deep throat saliva (DTS), throat swab (TS), combined nasal and throat swab (CNTS), and nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) are the common types of samples used in the COVID-19 test.
The client can collect DTS samples at home; collect TS samples, CNTS samples or NPS samples with the assistance of personnel who have received relevant medical training.
Clean your hands thoroughly with soap or alcohol-based handrub before DTS
collection.
Do not eat, drink, brush your teeth or gargle within 2 hours before DTS
collection.
Please collect DTS in a well-ventilated space and maintain at least a
2-metre distance from others.
After DTS collection, seal all the used items into a garbage bag and
dispose of them properly in a covered rubbish bin.
Clean your hands thoroughly after DTS collection.
If clients cannot follow the steps below, consider alternative specimen collection methods.
Specimen collection steps
Check the correctness of personal details on the bottle and laboratory
form.
Open the specimen bottle.
Make the noise of “Kruuua” in the throat to clear saliva from the deep
throat. Repeat at least 3 to 5 times to get enough deep-throat saliva.
Spit saliva into the bottle. Repeat the steps until the sample volume
reaches the scale on the specimen bottle.
Close the lid of the specimen bottle tightly to ensure no leakage of
saliva. Clean the surface of the specimen bottle with tissue paper.
Put the specimen bottle into the smaller bag, then seal the bag carefully.
Ensure the bottle is upright and without leakage.
Put the small specimen bag with the specimen bottle into the larger
specimen carrier bag and seal up carefully. Keep the bottle upright as far
as possible.
Clean your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterwards.
Specimen storage and transportation
Specimens must be transported to the laboratory within 72 hours, as soon as possible.
A triple package is required for specimen transport: 1. a tightly screwed specimen bottle without leakage, 2. two clean sealable plastic specimen bags, 3. An outer transport box that is robust and easy to clean, with lid/cover closed properly and securely during transport.
Transport between 2°C and 8°C and keep the specimen bottle upright during transportation.
Combined nasal and throat swab (CNTS)
Points to note for specimen collection
It generally needs to be operated by professionals.
The head of the nasal swab is thinner than the throat swab.
First collect nasal swab samples, and then collect throat swab samples with another swab.
Specimen collection steps
Collect nasal swab samples:
Take the nasal swab from the sterile packet. Do not touch the swab tip.
Tilt the head back slightly to straighten the nasal passage.
Gently insert the swab 1 to 2 cm inside the nostril parallel with the nose bridge, or until resistance is felt. Gently rotate the swab and leaving in place for 10 to 15 seconds. Slowly rotate as the swab is withdrawn.
Repeat collect the sample from the other nostril with the same swab.
Break the swab stalk at the indentation mark and put the swab tip into the bottle with prefilled transport medium.
Collect throat swab samples:
Take the throat wrap from the sterile packet. Do not touch the swab tip.
Tilt the head back slightly, open the mouth and insert the swab into the posterior pharynx and tonsillar areas.
Say “Ah”, then rub the swab over both tonsillar pillars and posterior oropharynx for few times. Avoid touching the tongue, teeth, and gums.
Break the swab stalk at the indentation mark and put the swab tip into the bottle with prefilled transport medium.
Close the lid of the specimen bottle tightly to ensure no leakage of saliva. Check the correctness of personal details on the bottle and laboratory form.
Put the specimen bottle into the smaller bag, then seal the bag carefully. Put the small specimen bag with the specimen bottle into the larger specimen carrier bag and seal up carefully.
Specimen storage and transportation
Specimens must be transported to the laboratory within 72 hours, as soon as possible.
A triple package is required for specimen transport: 1. a tightly screwed specimen bottle without leakage, 2. two clean sealable plastic specimen bags, 3. An outer transport box that is robust and easy to clean, with lid/cover closed properly and securely during transport.
Transport between 2°C and 8°C and keep the specimen bottle upright during transportation.
Nasopharyngeal swab (NPS)
Points to note for specimen collection
Professional operation is required.
Not applicable to children under 6 years old.
Specimen collection steps
Use a mini-tip swap with a flexible shaft.
Insert the swab through the nostril parallel to the palate (not upwards) until resistance is encountered or the distance is equivalent to that from the ear to the nostril of the patient, including contact with the nasopharynx.
The swab should reach a depth equal to the distance from the nostrils to the outer opening of the ear. Gently rub and roll the swab.
Leave the swab in place for several seconds to absorb secretions.
Slowly remove the swab while rotating it.
Specimens can be collected from both sides using the same swab, but it is not necessary to collect specimens from both sides if the mini-tip is saturated with fluid from the first collection.
If a deviated septum or blockage creates difficulty in obtaining the specimen from one nostril, use the same swab to obtain the specimen from another nostril.
Specimen storage and transportation
Specimens must be transported to the laboratory within 72 hours, as soon as possible.
A triple package is required for specimen transport: 1. a tightly screwed specimen bottle without leakage, 2. two clean sealable plastic specimen bags, 3. An outer transport box that is robust and easy to clean, with lid/cover closed properly and securely during transport.
Transport between 2°C and 8°C and keep the specimen bottle upright during transportation.
Throat Swab (TS)
Points to note for specimen collection
Professional operation is required.
Specimen collection steps
When taking out the swab from the sterile package, only hold the swab by the handle. Do not touch the swab tip.
Ask the client to tilt the head back slightly and open mouth widely so as to expose the tonsillar pillars on both sides.
Insert swab into the posterior pharynx and tonsillar areas and avoid touching the tongue, uvula, teeth, gums and lips.
Rub swab with small amount of force over both tonsillar pillars at least 3 times and posterior oropharynx at least 3 times.
Insert the swab tip into specimen bottle with transport medium. Close the lid properly. Send for testing as soon as possible.
Specimen storage and transportation
Specimens must be transported to the laboratory within 72 hours, as soon as possible.
A triple package is required for specimen transport: 1. a tightly screwed specimen bottle without leakage, 2. two clean sealable plastic specimen bags, 3. An outer transport box that is robust and easy to clean, with lid/cover closed properly and securely during transport.
Transport between 2°C and 8°C and keep the specimen bottle upright during transportation.
