Face-to-face instruction on how to perform a nasal and throat swab on oneself or one's child was given to the patient or to the parents of children aged ,8 years by the HCP during the baseline visit on day 1. Patients also received a patient instruction leaflet and a kit containing the 3 swabs, an individually wrapped tongue depressor, a transport medium vial, and a sealable plastic bag. Patients kept the day 3 swabs in a refrigerator at home after collection and returned them to the clinic on the day 6 visit. All specimens were sent by courier in insulated transport container to the central laboratory at Erasmus Medical Centre within 7 days of collection.