Specimen Rejection Criteria
- Specimens without a REDCap# or not meeting the approval criteria given in this document for testing.
- Specimens not kept at 2-8°C (≤72 hrs) or if specimens have not been frozen at -70°C and they are >72 hrs old.
- Incomplete specimen labeling or documentation. Unlabeled vials containing the NP swab will be rejected.
- Inappropriate specimen type.
- Insufficient specimen volume for testing.
Result Reporting
- Turnaround time for testing will be dependent on testing volumes.
- NCSLPH electronic reports are posted on our CELR (Clinical and Environment Laboratory Reports) online system.
- Specimens testing positive at the NCSLPH will be reported as "Positive 2019-nCoV"
- Specimens testing negative at the NCSLPH will be reported as 2019-nCoV "Not Detected."
Clinical Laboratory Safety Guidance
- Laboratorians should use appropriate precautions when handling specimens that may contain SARS-CoV-2. Timely communication between clinical and laboratory staff is essential to minimize the risk associated when handling specimens from patients with possible COVID-19. Such specimens should be labeled accordingly, and the laboratory should be alerted to ensure proper specimen handling.
- Additional information can be found in:
Requests for Additional Information From NCSLPH
- For general information, non-urgent LABORATORY questions about specimen collection, testing, and reporting please email the NCSLPH COVID-19 helpdesk at slph.covid19@dhhs.nc.gov.
- For critical laboratory-related questions during normal business hours (8am - 5pm, Monday - Friday) please call the SLPH Customer Service line at 919-733-3937.
Requests for Information from Communicable Disease Branch
- For members of the public, please call the NC COVID-19 Call Center at 866-462-3821.
- For non-urgent questions, please email ncresponse@dhhs.nc.gov.
Notes:
[1]Fever may be subjective or confirmed. Fever may not be present in some patients, such as those who are very young, elderly, immunosuppressed, or taking certain fever-lowering medications. Clinical judgment should be used to guide testing of patients in such situations.
[2]For healthcare personnel, testing may be considered if there has been exposure to a person with suspected COVID-19 without laboratory confirmation
[3]Close contact is defined as:
- being within approximately 6 feet (2 meters), of a COVID-19 case for a prolonged period of time while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment or PPE (e.g., gowns, gloves, face mask or NIOSH-certified disposable N95 respirator, eye protection); close contact can include caring for, living with, visiting, or sharing a healthcare waiting area or room with a COVID-19 case.
- or -
- having direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case (e.g., being coughed on) while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment.
[4]Documentation of laboratory-confirmation of COVID-19 may not be possible for travelers or persons caring for COVID-19 patients in other countries.
- NC Department of Health and Human Services
- 2001 Mail Service Center
- Raleigh, NC 27699-2001
- Ph: (919) 855-4840
- news@dhhs.nc.gov