COVID-19 Testing for Active Infection

COVID-19 is the name for the respiratory syndrome caused by infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Sonora Quest test code 907080 - SARS-CoV-2 RNA (COVID-19), Qualitative, NAAT, is a qualitative molecular assay, which amplifies the RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in human specimens such as nasopharyngeal or throat swabs (upper respiratory). Alternative specimens, including bronchial lavage/wash, or sputum/tracheal aspirate are also acceptable.

Detected results indicate presence of COVID-19 viral infection.

Not Detected results indicate no presence of COVID-19 viral infection.

An inconclusive result could indicate a sample with a viral concentration near the limit of detection of the test or other factors. An additional sample collection may be considered.

Sonora Quest Laboratories offers COVID-19 antibody testing. Click here for detailed information.

Physicians may order testing using test code 907080 - SARS-CoV-2 RNA (COVID-19), Qualitative, NAAT, through normal ordering processes. Any order for COVID-19 diagnostic testing must be submitted on a separate requisition and packaged separate from other tests.

Patients may also request their own COVID-19 diagnostic test. Uninsured patients can check to see if they qualify for free COVID PCR testing by completing a brief online screening questionnaire. If qualified, patients will have the option to schedule a COVID-19 PCR test at more than 50 Patient Service Centers throughout Arizona, including select drive-up locations. Patients with symptoms must wear a mask for their appointment.

To check eligibility and schedule an appointment, visit SonoraQuest.com/covid-testing

COVID-19 carside collections are now available by appointment only at select Sonora Quest Patient Service Centers.

These appointments are for patients that have mild COVID-19 symptoms and/or recent exposure to someone with COVID-19. An order from your healthcare provider or a self-ordered COVID-19 Diagnostic test is required. Please note that other tests cannot be collected at carside appointments.

Additionally, many Sonora Quest locations now offer COVID-19 collections inside the facility. Patients with symptoms must wear a mask for their appointment.

If you have an order from your healthcare provider, schedule an appointment.

If you do not have an order from your healthcare provider, order your own test and follow the steps to schedule an appointment.

Nasopharyngeal (NP) and/or oropharyngeal (OP) swabs are the preferred sample type. Lower respiratory specimen tests, including bronchial lavage/wash, or sputum/tracheal aspirate samples can also be submitted. One test for COVID-19 will be performed per requisition.

No. Each specimen vial must be transported in its own sealed bag.

The preferred sample is: One (1) healthcare professional-collected nasopharyngeal (NP) flocked or polyester-tipped swab in commercially-manufactured 2–3 mL Viral Transport Media (VTM) or equivalent Universal Transport Media (UTM).

Sonora Quest provides the following supplies which may be ordered through your normal process:

• COVID-19 Media with Nasopharyngeal Swab – Supply #44921
• COVID-19 Media with Anterior Nares (Nasal) / Oropharyngeal Swab – Supply #44947

Alternative samples:

• One (1) healthcare professional-collected, nasal or oropharyngeal (OP) in Aptima Multi-test Collection Kit.
• One (1) healthcare professional-collected nasopharyngeal (NP) flocked or polyester-tipped swab in commercially-manufactured 2–3 mL multi-microbe media (M4, M4RT, M5, M6), phosphate buffered saline (PBS) 1X pH 7.4 (range 7.2 – 7.4),sterile saline (0.85% to 0.90%), or 1 mL Amies liquid elution swab (eSwab).
• One (1) healthcare professional-collected oropharyngeal (OP) flocked or polyester-tipped swab in commercially-manufactured 2–3 mL Viral Transport Media (VTM) or equivalent Universal Transport Media (UTM), multi-microbe media (M4, M4RT, M5, M6), phosphate buffered saline (PBS) 1X pH 7.4 (range 7.2 – 7.4),sterile saline (0.85% to 0.90%), or 1 mL Amies liquid elution swab (eSwab).
• One (1) healthcare professional-instructed or observed, patient self-collected (such as a drive-thru testing site), or healthcare professional-collected nasal flocked or polyester-tipped swab in commercially-manufactured 2–3 mL Viral Transport Media (VTM) or equivalent (UTM), cobas PCR Media Uni Swab Sample Kit, cobas PCR Media Dual Swab Sample Kit, cobas PCR Media Kit, sterile saline (0.85 - 0.90%) or Aptima Multi-test Collection Kit.
• Lower respiratory specimen: 0.85 mL refrigerated bronchial lavage/wash, nasopharyngeal aspirate/wash, sputum, or tracheal aspirate in a plastic, sterile, leak-proof container.

NOTE: Due to the amount of Amies liquid elution, there is only enough to run specimen once and will not be enough to repeat specimen, if needed.

NOTE: Any container received without the following information: manufacturer, contents, lot number, and expiration date, will be rejected.

Nasopharyngeal collection instructions and other resources can be found here.

Supplies can be ordered through our SonoraQuest.com Provider Portal, Quanum, or by faxing a Client Supply Request Form to 602.685.5402 in Phoenix (central and northern AZ), or 520.296.5607 in Tucson (southern AZ).

All labs are dealing with a global supply shortage of the sample collection kits needed for the testing. Sonora Quest is actively and continuously pursuing all options for supplies.

Specimens have a 48-hour ambient and refrigerated stability. Samples can also be frozen. If leaving specimens in a lock box, placing a frozen ice pack inside will ensure refrigerated specimens stay cool and viable for testing.

Samples should be transported refrigerated (preferred) but can be submitted frozen. If leaving specimens in a lock box, placing a frozen ice pack inside will ensure refrigerated specimens stay cool and viable for testing. Specimens should be transported to Sonora Quest Laboratories according to standard operating procedures. Please note, this test is not available for STAT testing or STAT pick up.

As of March 20, 2020, Sonora Quest performs this testing in-house at our main laboratory in Phoenix for all swab samples using test code 907080. Lower respiratory samples (0.85 mL refrigerated bronchial lavage/wash, nasopharyngeal aspirate/wash, sputum, or tracheal aspirate in a plastic, sterile, leak-proof container) are sent to Quest Diagnostics Infectious Disease laboratory in California.

COVID-19 diagnostic testing has a published turnaround time within 2 – 4 days. Currently, most results are delivered in under 24 hours. Testing turnaround time may vary based on testing demand, supplies, and other factors.

Providers will receive a phone call if the test result is positive or inconclusive. Patients can access their results through the SonoraQuest.com Patient Results Portal or by emailing DTP-Arizona@SonoraQuest.com. 

The number of samples changes each day. Please refer to the dashboard reports on our COVID-19 News page for details.

Yes – we are reporting all results to the Arizona Department of Health Services, so our results are represented in the numbers they are distributing. The Arizona Department of Health Services is tracking statewide statistics and they can be contacted to provide that information as they are able to share. Additionally, we are sharing the total number of COVID-19 tests that we have performed, along with the average result turnaround time, and positivity rate with all major Arizona media outlets on a daily basis.

Yes – we are reporting all results to the Arizona Department of Health Services, so our results are represented in the numbers they are distributing. The Arizona Department of Health Services is tracking statewide statistics and they can be contacted to provide that information as they are able to share.