Positive results are indicative of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA; clinical correlation with patient history and other diagnostic information is necessary to determine patient infection status. Positive results do not rule out bacterial infection or co-infection with other viruses. Laboratories within the United States and its territories are required to report all positive results to the appropriate public health authorities.
Negative results do not preclude SARS-CoV-2 infection and should not be used as the sole basis for patient management decisions. Negative results must be combined with clinical observations, patient history, and epidemiological information. False-negative results may occur if the viruses are present at a level that is below the analytical sensitivity of the assay or if the virus has genomic mutations, insertions, deletions, or rearrangements or if performed very early in the course of illness.
Invalid results indicate the inability to conclusively determine presence or absence of SARS-CoV2 RNA in the patient sample. This result may be due to 1) Internal Control (IC) failure, or 2) failure to detect sufficient specimen volume
Optimum specimen types and timing for peak viral levels during infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 have not been determined. Collection of multiple specimens from the same patient may be necessary to detect the virus. The possibility of a false negative result should especially be considered if the patient’s recent exposures or clinical presentation suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection is possible and diagnostic tests for other causes of illness (e.g., other respiratory illness) are negative. If SARS-CoV-2 infection is still suspected, re-testing should be considered in consultation with public health authorities.