The throat swab is the main-stay of diagnosis of COVID-19, and this sample should be taken from the back of the patient’s throat near the tonsils. It’s important the swab touches the back of the throat to pick up cellular materials.

The throat swab should be an aid to a diagnosis, but should not define clinical management. Some patients who raise a high index of clinical suspicion for COVID-19 may still have a negative throat swab; these patients should still be managed as COVID-19 and a second throat swab should be arranged.