4. Gargle lavage
Exposure risk to healthcare workers are inherent while obtaining flocked swab samples as these methods may provoke sneezing, coughing and retching. Saito et al reported the use of gargle lavage as a safe and sensitive alternative to swab sampling. Gargle lavages using 10mL of normal saline and OPS were compared in a COVID-19 patient on Days 8 and 9 of illness. Notably, higher amounts of viral genome were seen in the gargle lavage samples.13 This was, however, a single case report. Not withstanding the above, it had been previously reported that for respiratory pathogens such as influenza A, influenza B and respiratory syncytial virus, gargle lavage is more sensitive than throat swabs.14 In the current outbreak, there is scant evidence of gargle lavage’s sensitivity and specificity for viral detection.