What is the most suitable location to perform a swab for SARS-CoV-2 detection via RT-PCR?
Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal (throat) swabs are the primary specimens for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing. Lower respiratory tract specimens (i.e. sputum, endotracheal aspirate or bronchoalveolar lavage) may have higher viral loads and be more likely to yield positive tests. However, these locations carry a high risk of aerosolization and therefore should be reserved for severe patients with a negative test on an upper respiratory tract specimen and high suspicion for lower respiratory tract SARS-CoV-2 infection.98,99