2.3. Testing

The EQA panel was shipped frozen on dry ice ensuring the same amount of freeze-thaw cycles for all locations. Both panel specimens and clinical specimens were processed according to the routine diagnostic protocol as performed in each lab (see Table 3 and Table 4 ). Laboratory 1 did not perform RSV typing. Laboratory 2 did not perform influenza virus type A subtyping, no influenza virus type B lineage determination nor RSV typing. Panel specimens and clinical specimens for the Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV assay were processed according to manufacturer's instruction and only required 300 μl specimen input. The Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV assay contains primers and probes targeting the E-gene and N2-gene of SARS-CoV-2, the matrix protein, PB2 and PA genes of influenza virus type A, the matrix protein and non-structural protein genes of influenza virus type B and nucleocapsid genes of RSV-A and RSV-B. The assay provides results for SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus by type (type A two channels) and RSV without typing.

Routine diagnostic assay of each laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 detection.

Routine diagnostic assay of each laboratory for influenza virus and RSV detection.