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For Test Champions: See Test Status in Portal
Sample Statuses
“Indeterminate” and “Unusable”
For Test Champions: See Test Status in Portal
Test Champions can click on “Test Takers” at the top of the page and then “Test Information”. The same statuses apply as above once the sample has been scanned into the website. The test status for each Test Taker appears under the “Status” column. You can filter by Test Date, Status and Test Location.
“In Progress”
Samples have not arrived at the processing lab or have not begun processing.
To request help regarding samples with “In Progress”, please follow these steps.
- Obtain the shipment tracking number(s) and verify that the package has been delivered.
- Confirm that all samples were included in this shipment.
- If the shipment was delivered over 6 hours ago and your team has verified that all relevant samples were included in the shipment, please submit a request for assistance here.
- If the tracking information shows a delivery time of less than 6 hours ago, please monitor this sample's status in the testing portal and submit a request once 6 hours has passed.
“Received”
Samples have arrived at the lab and are processing!
Processing times can vary for a variety of reasons.
- Samples will occasionally need to be rerun. This is a normal part of lab processes to ensure quality results. There is no way to predict how long the extended processing duration may be, but it does not necessarily reflect any issues with sample integrity or collection.
- Our labs process samples in groups. This can lead to packages being split up and different processing times.
Processing times can vary and our lab team closely monitors sample processing duration. Our team proactively communicates with lab personnel and organizations regarding abnormal processing durations.
“Positive”
A positive result for a PCR test indicates that the virus that causes COVID-19 was detected in your sample. A positive test result means that the Test Taker may be infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Please contact your organization’s Test Champion or coordinator to discuss next steps.
There is a smaller possibility that this test can give a positive result that is wrong (a false positive result) particularly when used in a population without many cases of COVID-19 infection.
“Indeterminate” and “Unusable”
An indeterminate result for a PCR test means that it is neither positive nor negative. An unusable result means that the lab was unable to process the sample. In either case, you will need to retest to confirm that Test Taker’s COVID-19 status. This means an individual with an indeterminate or unusable result could potentially be infected with SARS-CoV-2 and applicable public health guidelines should be followed while awaiting the results of a second test, taking into consideration any COVID-19 exposures or symptoms that the individual may have.
Why These Statuses Occur, and Steps for Future Prevention
An indeterminate result can occur if you test too soon from the time you were exposed to the virus. It can also occur if there was a problem with how the sample was collected, or the test itself. For tips to prevent indeterminate or unusable results in the future, please refer to steps 2-6 of the Instructions for Use.
An Unusable result could be caused by the following:
- Name and/or Date of Birth on individual tubes does not match the information that is in our portal (NOTE: this information MUST be written on the individual tube labels in order for the lab to process the individual samples)
- Samples do not begin processing within the sample stability window of 72 hours
- Swabs were placed incorrectly into the pooled tube
- Damaged barcode
- Individual barcodes do not match what is registered to the tube in the portal
Tips for future prevention:
- Ensure the information written on the tubes (name & DOB) matches exactly to the information for Test Takers in the portal, and that tubes are properly registered
- Use the correct packaging when shipping
- Ensure that sample swabs are placed in the tube with fluffy tip down and plastic shaft up
- Be mindful of the external barcode on each tube. If the barcode is damaged, we will be unable to scan it into our system for processing
“Negative”
A negative result for a PCR test indicates that SARS-CoV-2 was not detected in the sample provided.
It is possible for this test to give a negative result that is incorrect (false negative) in some people with COVID-19. Test Takers could also be exposed to COVID-19 after your sample was collected and then have become infected. This means that a Test Taker could possibly still have COVID-19 even though the test is negative. Negative results should be considered in context with any COVID-19 exposures or symptoms an individual may have.