Burlington Reporter

A COVID-19 test developed by Burlington-based LabCorp is now available to physicians. 

“We have been intensely focused on making testing for COVID-19 available as soon as possible, working with the government and others to address this public health crisis,” said Adam H. Schechter, president and CEO of LabCorp, in a release. 

The test is intended for patients who meet current criteria for testing. The test must be ordered by a medical care professional.

Specimens are collected via a nose or mouth swab. The wet swab is placed in a Universal Transport Medium (UTM). A UTM is a room-temperature, stable, viral transport medium for collection, transport, maintenance and long-term freeze storage of various viruses, including influenza H1N1, chlamydia, mycoplasma and ureaplasma specimens.

The specimen is frozen and then sent to LabCorp.

The turnaround time for test results is three to four days but could take longer if further confirmation or additional testing is needed.