insufficient positive samples

To investigate the presence of SARS-nCoV-2 in the tear film of symptomatic and pauci-symptomatic SARS-nCoV-2 positive patients.

The end goal of the study is to show whether or not the virus can be found in the tear film in both symptomatic and less symptomatic patients by means of serial sampling.

A sample of the tears / conjunctiva will be taken with a soft brush (similar to a cotton swab) every three days until the end of the hospitalization. In addition, you must complete a questionnaire that assesses the symptoms present.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subject needs to be above 18 years old.
• The subject is willing to undergo sampling of the conjunctiva.
• The subject is willing to fill in a questionnaire.
• The subject is fluent in written and verbal Dutch.
• The subject is capable of giving informed consent.
• Applicable for part 1 only: the subject test positive for SARS-nCoV-2 on a nasopharyngeal swab. The time window between a positive nasopharyngeal swab and the first conjunctival swab may be no more than 3 days.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allergy to Oxybuprocainehydrochloride
• Pregnancy or lactation

positive test for SARS-nCoV-2 on a nasopharyngeal swab.

Sampling will be repeated every 3 days to evaluate if PCR becomes positive during the course of disease and to monitor the duration of detectability of the virus in tears, up to 1 month