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Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), & COVID-19 Testing
As respiratory virus season approaches, Cleveland Clinic Laboratories is ready to support clients with influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, & COVID-19 testing.
As of October 2020, national and state surveillance efforts for influenza viruses have identified that prevalence remains extremely low (<1%) in individuals with symptoms of an influenza-like illness.
For the most up-to-date information on influenza prevalence, please refer to resources provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).
Influenza, RSV Testing Details
As of November 3, 2020, several influenza & RSV testing options are available to order:
Routine Flu Testing (RTFLU)
Routine Flu & RSV Testing (RTFRSV)
Routine RSV Testing (RTRSV)
These tests can be combined with COVID-19 testing or ordered separately.
All influenza tests interrogate the specimen for both influenza A & influenza B, and types are reported individually.
Test Overviews
The following details apply to RTFLU, RTFRSV, & RTRSV both individually and when combined with COVID.
Test Name
Routine Flu Testing (RTFLU)
Routine Flu & RSV Testing (RTFRSV)
Routine RSV Testing (RTRSV)
Turnaround Time
24 – 48 hours
from time of specimen receipt by the laboratory
Specimen Type
(1) Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab – preferred, or
(1) Anterior nasal swab, or
(1) Midturbinate swab
Transport Media
Universal Transport Media
(UTM), 3 mL
Viral Transport Media
(VTM), 3 mL
Saline Transport Media,
3 mL
Liquid Amies Transport Media
(eSwab), 3 mL
If you need help obtaining appropriate specimen collection and transport supplies, please contact your CCL Account Manager.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated; transport to the laboratories on cold packs or wet ice.
Stability
Ambient:
Unacceptable
Refrigerated (2-8ºC):
72 hours
Frozen:
Up to 30 days
COVID-19 Testing
At this time, testing is offered only to healthcare providers & organizations within the state of Ohio.
The SARS-CoV-2 assay is available for the qualitative detection of the COVID-19 virus in respiratory specimens from individuals with the appropriate signs, symptoms, and epidemiologic exposure.
Due to capacity restrictions, clients must be vetted and approved before sending specimens for COVID-19 testing. Refer to our COVID-19 Testing Details for more information.
