SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, is likely to remain a long-term threat to human health. The typical clinical features - cough, sore throat, fever and diarrhoea - overlap with many other well-established respiratory viruses.

To simplify testing and ensure that patients with compatible symptoms are tested for COVID-19, Mater Pathology has updated the Respiratory Virus Panel to routinely include SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Upper respiratory samples (nasopharyngeal swabs, throat swabs or combined nasal/throat swabs) will have all testing performed at the Main Laboratory in South Brisbane. Other samples (i.e. sputum, broncho-alveolar lavage, endotracheal aspirates etc.) will have the non-COVID-19 virus tests done at Mater, with COVID-19 testing completed by our reference laboratory.

If urgent testing is clinically indicated, please contact the laboratory directly on 07 3163 7500 to discuss the case with a Microbiologist.

pathology.mater.org.au