COVID-19 PCR Collection Kits
The following chart provides information on collection kits for procurement that are acceptable for COVID-19 PCR testing.
COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Testing Swabs: Preferred Specimen Collection Methods
PHO Laboratory has done a limited evaluation on the specimen collection kits listed. These can be used for collection of intended or alternative specimens as indicated in the table. The same specimen can be used for seasonal respiratory virus testing (MRVP) provided acceptance criteria are met.
PHO Laboratory will accept other swab types and other liquid transport media (except gel or solid media) for COVID-19 testing; however, if the submitted swab and/or media type were not validated at PHO Laboratory for COVID-19 testing, the results will be reported with a disclaimer. Further information on collection kits is available in the COVID-19 Laboratory Testing FAQs for SARS-CoV-2.
At this time there are no dedicated neonatal nasopharyngeal swabs available in Ontario. Current advice is to collect an NP swab when testing neonates for COVID-19. If the calibre of the swab that is available is too wide, it can be used for nasal, deep nasal or throat swab collection as alternative collection sites.
If you are ordering collection kits from Ontario Health Digital Health Services page, any of these kits may be used to fulfill orders.
Specimen Collection Kits and Instructions
| Swab-Media Kit (Catalogue#) | Description | Specimens (Intended and Alternative) |
Suitable for
(R=Flu Rapid**; C=COVID-19; M=Multiplex) |
|
Saliva - neat – funnel
|
A sterile empty tube and funnel Media Type: No Media |
Saliva - NEAT | C |
|
Saliva – neat - straw
|
A sterile empty tube and straw Media Type: No Media |
Saliva - NEAT | C |
|
Saliva: mouth rinse – “swish and gargle” – funnel
|
A sterile empty tube, funnel, and 5 ml packet of saline rinse Media Type: no media |
Saliva - mouth rinse/“swish and gargle” | C |
|
Saliva: mouth rinse – “swish and gargle” – straw
|
A sterile empty tube, straw, and 5 ml packet of saline rinse Media Type: no media |
Saliva - mouth rinse/“swish and gargle” | C |
|
BD Kit (B220528) 
|
3mL vial of media and sterile nylon flocked tip swab (100mm breakpoint) Media Type: VTM/UTM |
Intended: |
C,M |
|
BD Kit (B220531) |
3mL vial of media and sterile mini-tip swab Media Type: VTM/UTM |
Intended: Alternative: |
C,M |
|
Beaver Kit (43903) 
|
3mL vial of clear media and flocked “specimen collection swab” (80mm breakpoint) Media Type: Buffered saline*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
R,C,M |
|
Copan Kit (CA302MH) 
|
3mL vial of media and standard flocked swab (100mm breakpoint) Media Type: VTM/UTM |
Intended: |
R,C,M |
|
Copan Kit (CA305MH) 
|
3mL vial of media and pernasal flocked swab (100mm breakpoint) Media Type: VTM/UTM |
Intended: Alternative: |
R,C,M |
|
Copan Pediatric Midturbinate Swab Kit (CA56750CS01) 
|
3mL vial of media and pediatric midturbinate flocked swab (55mm breakpoint) Media Type: VTM/UTM |
Intended:
Alternative: |
R,C,M |
|
Deaou Kit
|
3mL vial of media and “disposable sampling swab” (80mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
C,M |
|
ESBE EZ Pro Kit (ESB-VA50005NP)
|
EZ Pro Transport Medium Swab Kit w/ 2mL vial of clear media and “sterile collection swab” (85mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
C,M |
|
GDL Korea Kit
|
2mL vial of pink media and nylon flocked swab (95mm breakpoint) Media Type: VTM/UTM*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
R,C,M |
|
Hologic (Aptima) Multitest Swab Kit (PRD-03546)
|
Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit w/ 2.9 mL vial of media and woven multitest swab (75mm breakpoint) Media Type:Specimen Transport Media*** |
Intended: |
C,M |
|
Hologic (Aptima) Unisex Swab Kit (301041)
|
Unisex Swab Specimen Collection Kit w/ 2.9mL vial of media and woven collection swab (75mm breakpoint) Note: Kit also contains a cleaning swab that is not suitable for testing. Media Type:Specimen Transport Media*** |
Intended: |
C,M |
Microbix DxTM transport Media (VTM-64-03) |
3mL vial of media and flocked swab (70 mm breakpoint) Media Type: VTM/UTM |
Intended: |
R, C, M |
|
McMaster Molecular Medium paired with Miraclean swab
|
2mL vial of McMaster Molecular Medium Miraclean flocked “disposable sampling swab” (95mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
C,M |
|
Miraclean Kit
|
Disposable Sampling Kit w/ 2mL vial of pink media and flocked “disposable sampling swab” (95mm breakpoint) Media Type: VTM/UTM*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
R,C,M |
|
Norgen Media paired with i-Clean swab (68803 + CY-96000)
|
3mL vial of media and narrow-tipped flocked swab (90mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
C,M |
|
Norgen media paired with i-Clean swab (68803 + CY-93050)
|
3mL vial of media and flocked “specimen collection swab” (78mm breakpoint). Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based*** |
Intended: |
C,M |
| Oxoid Kit (OXRE12568) |
M6 Kit w/ 3mL vial of media and traditional-tipped flocked swab Media Type: VTM/UTM |
Intended: |
R,C,M |
|
Oxoid Kit (OXRE12569)
|
M6 Kit w/ 3mL vial of media and micro-tipped flocked swab Media Type: VTM/UTM |
Intended: Alternative: |
R,C,M |
|
Oxoid media paired with Puritan NP swab (R12505 + 25-3317-H)
|
3mL of Remel M4RT media Puritan sterile flocked swab (105mm breakpoint) Media Type: VTM/UTM |
Intended: Alternative: |
R,C,M |
|
PHO in-house media paired with Copan swab (220252)
|
3mL of PHO media Note: Media cap may vary in colour and vial may vary in shape Copan FLOQ swab (100mm breakpoint) Media Type: PBS*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
R,C,M |
|
PHO in-house media paired with i-Clean swab (CY-96000)
|
3mL of PHO media Note: Media cap may vary in colour and vial may vary in shape i-Clean narrow-tipped flocked swab (80mm breakpoint) Media Type: PBS*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
R,C,M |
|
PHO in-house media paired with Puritan swab (25-3317-H)
|
3mL of PHO media Note: Media cap may vary in colour and vial may vary in shape Puritan sterile flocked swab (105mm breakpoint) Media Type: PBS*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
R,C,M |
|
Roche Dual Swab Kit (07958021190)
|
Cobas PCR Media Dual Swab Sample Packet w/ 4.3mL vial of media, 1 woven tip swab, and 1 flocked tip swab (70mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
C,M |
|
Roche Uni Swab Kit (07958030190)
|
Cobas PCR Media Uni Swab Sample Packet w/ 4.3mL vial of media and woven tip swab (70mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based*** |
Intended: |
C,M |
|
Roche + CHS Woven Swab Kit (85-1051)
|
4.3mL of Roche Cobas PCR Media w/ woven tip swab (70mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based*** |
: |
C,M |
|
Roche + CHS Flocked Swab Kit (85-1052)
|
4.3mL of Roche Cobas PCR Media w/ flocked tip swab (70mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
C,M |
|
Roche media paired with Copan swab (06466281190 + 220252)
|
4.3mL of Roche Cobas PCR Media Copan FLOQ swab (100mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
C,M |
|
Roche media paired with i-Clean swab (06466281190 + CY-96000)
|
4.3mL of Roche Cobas PCR Media i-Clean narrow-tipped flocked swab (80mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
C,M |
|
Roche media paired with Miraclean swab (06466281190)
|
4.3mL of Roche Cobas PCR Media Miraclean flocked “disposable sampling swab” (95mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
C,M |
|
Roche media paired with Puritan swab (06466281190 + 25-3317-H)
|
4.3mL of Roche Cobas PCR Media Puritan sterile flocked swab (105mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
C,M |
|
Roche media paired with Sensor Health swab (06466281190)
|
4.3mL of Roche Cobas PCR Media Sensor Health flocked “sampling swab” (80mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
C,M |
|
SDNA- 2000 Spectrum Saliva Kits
|
A sterile empty tube, funnel, and cap that contains blue coloured transport media Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based*** |
Saliva - NEAT | C |
|
Sensor Health Kit
|
3mL vial of media and unscored foam-tipped swab w/ sterile scissors Media Type: PBS*** |
Intended:
Note: Swab does not have a breakpoint; must be cut manually Steps for cutting swab |
R,C,M |
|
Starplex Multitrans Kit (CA66410-030)
|
Starswab Multitrans System w/ 2mL vial of pink media and woven sterile collection swab (100mm breakpoint) Media Type: VTM/UTM*** |
Intended: |
R,C,M |
|
Trinity Biotech media paired with Beaver swab (B1029-90D)
|
2mL of Bartels FlexTrans media Note: Cap may vary in colour Beaver flocked “specimen collection swab” (80mm breakpoint) Media Type: VTM/UTM*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
R,C,M |
|
Trinity Biotech media paired with i-Clean swab (B1029-90D + CY-96000)
|
2mL of Bartels FlexTrans media Note: Cap may vary in colour i-Clean narrow-tipped flocked swab (80mm breakpoint) Media Type: VTM/UTM*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
R,C,M |
|
Trinity Biotech media paired with Miraclean swab (B1029-90D)
|
2mL of Bartels FlexTrans media Note: Cap may vary in colour Miraclean flocked “disposable sampling swab” (95mm breakpoint) Media Type: VTM/UTM*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
R,C,M |
|
Trinity Biotech media paired with Sensor Health swab (B1029-90D) |
2mL of Bartels FlexTrans media Note: Cap may vary in colour Sensor Health flocked “sampling swab” (80mm breakpoint) Media Type: VTM/UTM*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
R,C,M |
|
Yocon Kit (STC-110)
|
3.4mL vial of pink media and Yocon “ flocked swab” (80mm breakpoint) Media Type: VTM/UTM*** |
Intended: Alternative: |
R,C,M |
*For instructions on upper respiratory specimen collection, please follow the US CDC’s information for health professionals influenza specimen collection poster.
**Flu Rapid refers to the immunochromatographic rapid influenza test used for institutional outbreak testing; for more information refer to the Respiratory Viruses Test Information Sheet (including influenza) for Flu outbreak testing algorithm.
***Safety Data Sheets available upon request.
Pre-assembled Specimen Collection Kits No Longer Distributed in Ontario
| Collection Kit (Catalogue #) | Description | Test Options Available |
|
BD Kit (B220531 or B220528)
|
3mL vial of media |
Nasopharyngeal swabbing * |
|
Beaver Kit (43903)
|
3mL vial of clear media and flocked “specimen collection swab” (80mm breakpoint) Media Type: Buffered saline |
COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Copan Kit (CA302MH)
|
3mL vial of media and standard flocked swab (100mm breakpoint) Media Type: VTM/UTM |
Oral/nasal swabbing COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Copan Kit (CA305MH)
|
3mL vial of media and pernasal flocked swab (100mm breakpoint) Media Type: VTM/UTM |
COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Copan Pediatric Midturbinate Swab Kit (CA56750CS01)
|
3mL vial of media and pediatric mid-turbinate flocked swab (55mm breakpoint) Media Type: VTM/UTM |
Nasal mid-turbinate |
|
Deaou Kit
|
3mL vial of media and “disposable sampling swab” (80mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based** |
COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
ESBE EZ Pro Kit (ESB-VA50005NP)
|
EZ Pro Transport Medium Swab Kit w/ 2mL vial of clear media and “sterile collection swab” (85mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based** |
COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Hologic (Aptima) Multitest Swab Kit (PRD-03546)
|
Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit w/ 2.9 mL vial of media and woven multitest swab (75mm breakpoint) Media Type:Specimen Transport Media** |
Oral/nasal swabbing COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Hologic (Aptima) Unisex Swab Kit (301041)
|
Unisex Swab Specimen Collection Kit w/ 2.9mL vial of media and woven collection swab (75mm breakpoint) Note: Kit also contains a cleaning swab that is not suitable for testing. Media Type:Specimen Transport Media** |
Oral/nasal swabbing COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
| Microbix DxTM transport Media (VTM-64-03) |
3mL vial of media and flocked swab (70 mm breakpoint) Media Type: VTM/UTM |
Oral/nasal swabbing COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Norgen Media paired with i-Clean swab (68803 + CY-96000)
|
3mL vial of media and narrow-tipped flocked swab (90mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based** |
COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Norgen media paired with i-Clean swab (68803 + CY-93050)
|
3mL vial of media and flocked “specimen collection swab” (78mm breakpoint). Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based** |
Oral/nasal swabbing COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
| Oxoid Kit (OXRE12568) (no image available) |
M6 Kit w/ 3mL vial of media and traditional-tipped flocked swab Media Type: VTM/UTM |
Oral/nasal swabbing COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Oxoid Kit (OXRE12569)
|
M6 Kit w/ 3mL vial of media and micro-tipped flocked swab Media Type: VTM/UTM |
COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Oxoid media paired with Puritan NP swab (R12505 + 25-3317-H)
|
3mL of Remel M4RT media Puritan sterile flocked swab (105mm breakpoint) Media Type: VTM/UTM | COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
PHO in-house media paired with Copan swab (220252)
|
3mL of PHO media with Copan FLOQ swab (100mm breakpoint) |
COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
PHO in-house media paired with i-Clean swab (CY-96000)
|
3mL of PHO media with i-Clean narrow-tipped flocked swab (80mm breakpoint) |
COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
PHO in-house media paired with Puritan swab (25-3317-H)
|
3mL of PHO media with Puritan sterile flocked swab (105mm breakpoint) |
COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Roche media paired with Copan swab (06466281190 + 220252)
|
4.3mL of Roche Cobas PCR Media Copan FLOQ swab (100mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based** |
COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Roche media paired with i-Clean swab (06466281190 + CY-96000)
|
4.3mL of Roche Cobas PCR Media i-Clean narrow-tipped flocked swab (80mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based** |
COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Roche media paired with Miraclean swab (06466281190)
|
4.3mL of Roche Cobas PCR Media Miraclean flocked “disposable sampling swab” (95mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based** |
COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Roche media paired with Puritan swab (06466281190 + 25-3317-H)
|
4.3mL of Roche Cobas PCR Media Puritan sterile flocked swab (105mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based** |
COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Roche media paired with Sensor Health swab (06466281190)
|
4.3mL of Roche Cobas PCR Media Sensor Health flocked “sampling swab” (80mm breakpoint) Media Type: Guanidine/ Guanidinium-based** |
COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Sensor Health Kit
|
3mL vial of media and unscored foam-tipped swab w/ sterile scissors |
Oral/nasal swabbing COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Trinity Biotech media paired with Beaver swab (B1029-90D)
|
2mL of Bartels FlexTrans media with Beaver flocked “specimen collection swab” (80mm breakpoint) |
COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Trinity Biotech media paired with i-Clean swab (B1029-90D + CY-96000)
|
2mL of Bartels FlexTrans media with i-Clean narrow-tipped flocked swab (80mm breakpoint) |
COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Trinity Biotech media paired with Miraclean swab (B1029-90D)
|
2mL of Bartels FlexTrans media with Miraclean flocked “disposable sampling swab” (95mm breakpoint) |
COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Trinity Biotech media paired with Sensor Health swab (B1029-90D) (no image available) |
2mL of Bartels FlexTrans media with Sensor Health flocked “sampling swab” (80mm breakpoint) |
COVID-19 and/or Respiratory viruses |
|
Saliva – neat - straw
|
A sterile empty tube and straw Media Type: No Media |
Saliva collection instruction COVID-19 only*** |
|
Saliva: mouth rinse (“swish and gargle”) with straw
|
A sterile empty tube, straw, and 5 ml packet of saline rinse Media Type: no media |
Saliva collection instruction COVID-19 only*** |
|
Saliva: mouth rinse (“swish and gargle”) with funnel
|
A sterile empty tube, funnel, and 5 ml packet of saline rinse Media Type: no media |
Saliva collection instruction COVID-19 only*** |
*Wherever possible, Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs should be reserved for NP swabbing methods, and other swab types (oral/nasal) are to be used for non-NP or alternative specimen collection methods. If other swab types are unavailable, NP swabs may be used for alternative specimen collection methods.
**Due to the media type (typically guanidine/guanidium-based), these specimens are NOT suitable for rapid influenza testing (the immunochromatographic rapid influenza test used for institutional outbreak testing). For more information, refer to the Respiratory Viruses Test Information Sheet (including influenza) for influenza outbreak testing algorithm.*** These specimen collection media types are only suitable for COVID-19 virus testing and NOT suitable for otherRespiratory Viruses Test Information Sheet (including influenza) testing.
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