Coronaviruses are important human and animal pathogens. At the end of 2019, a novel coronavirus was identified as the cause of a cluster of pneumonia cases in Hubei Province, Wuhan, China. Its rapid spread, resulted in an epidemic throughout China, followed by a global pandemic. In February 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated the disease COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). The virus that causes COVID-19 is SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2); previously referred to as 2019-nCoV.
Common symptoms of COVID-19 are like those found with illnesses such as a cold or influenza.
* new or worsening cough
* sneezing and runny nose
* fever
* temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste
* sore throat
* shortness of breath
* fatigue/feeling of tiredness
Less common symptoms of COVID-19 may include diarrhoea, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, malaise, chest pain, abdominal pain, joint pain or confusion/irritability. These almost always occur with one or more of the common symptoms.
Symptoms tend to arise around two to five days after a person has been infected but can take up to 14 days to show. The virus can be passed onto others before they know they have it – from up to two days before symptoms develop.
Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time. Sometimes new variants emerge and disappear. Other times, new variants emerge and persist so testing strategy evolves also.
COVID-19 testing by individual PCR is no longer offered, please refer to Inpatient Respiratory Virus Streaming Guide in Additional Information section below.
COVID-19 PCR is performed as part of the Respiratory PCR Screen. Testing is available only if clinical criteria are met, please ensure relevant clinical details are included on the request form. Without clinical details, requests will not be processed unless discussed with and approved by a Microbiologist.
Microbiology - Virology
RESP
Swab samples can be shared for Respiratory Multiplex PCR (ALPX)
Requests are batch tested daily Monday - Friday, approx 1100; results available mid-late afternoon. Urgent or weekend testing must be discussed with and approved by a Microbiologist.
Add-ons can be made if an appropriate sample has already been received for other testing. Please call Virology to discuss.
Covid
SARS-CoV-2
Novel coronavirus
2019 nCov
Respiratory Screen
Resp screen
3 days
2003