• Make sure to test at the right time
• Choose the best type of test for the circumstance
• Follow test directions as recommended by the FDA/CDC

• If symptomatic  Test immediately
• If exposed but no symptoms  Wait at least 5 full days after exposure, then test. If testing is too early, it may be more likely to have an inaccurate result.
• If living or working in certain high-risk areas  Testing may be needed as part of a screening test program
• Before contact with someone at high risk for severe COVID-19  consider testing

No. These multi-pathogen molecular assays can detect a number of human respiratory viruses, including other coronaviruses that can cause acute respiratory illness, but they do not detect COVID-19.

The assay uses highly sensitive high-throughput real-time RT-PCR technology for simultaneous detection and reporting of SARS-CoV-2 (the causative agent of COVID-19), influenza A, and/or influenza B in upper respiratory specimens. Nucleic acid from one or more of these organisms may be detectable in respiratory specimens during the acute (symptomatic) phase of a viral illness, and testing for SARS-CoV-2 specifically should be offered to individuals suspected of a respiratory viral infection consistent with COVID-19 by a healthcare provider.

The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 ranges from asymptomatic infection and mild disease with non-specific signs and symptoms of acute respiratory illness, to severe pneumonia with respiratory failure and septic shock.  Possible symptoms include: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

Emergency warning signs for COVID-19 include: trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, pale/gray/blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone.

For additional information visit the CDC's COVID-19  page

Persons with symptomatic COVID-19 are likely most infectious during the first 5 days of testing positive. Many remain infectious for up to 10 days since the beginning of the infection.

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• Older adults, especially persons greater than 65 years old.
• Persons with medical conditions, including: cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, chronic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, dementia or other neurological conditions, diabetes (type 1 or 2), disabilities (e.g., Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, birth defects), heart conditions, HIV infection, immunocompromised condition or weakened immune system.

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According to the CDC, post-COVID conditions is an umbrella term for the wide range of health consequences that are present 4 or more weeks after infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Shortness of breath, fatigue, post-exertional malaise/poor endurance, "brain fog" or cognitive impairment, chest pain, headache, palpitations, body/muscle aches, diarrhea, insomnia/sleep difficulties, fever, pain, rash, mood changes, anosmia/dysgeusia, menstrural cycle irregularities.

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At this time, no laboratory test can definitively distinguish post-COVID conditions from other diseases. However, basic laboratory tests in the comprehensive evaluation of patients suspected of post-COVID conditions may be used to help guide clinical findings. If symptoms persist for >12 weeks, more specialized testing may be considered. 

Access a complete list of diagnostic tests to consider

Reinfection means that a person was infected with SARS-CoV-2, recovered, and then later became infected again. After recovering from COVID-19, most persons have some protection from repeat infection, however reinfection does occur. Research is currently underway to better understand determining factors, risk of transmission, and severity of reinfection.

Detailed information about WestPac Labs' COVID-19 test can be accessed here: Test Directory

Nucleic acid-amplification technology (NAAT) tests, such as PCR, are considered the most reliable tests for people with or without symptoms. The test detects viral SARS-CoV-2 genetic material, which may remain in a person's body for up to 90 days after the initial positive test. As a result, patients should not use molecular NAAT tests if they have tested positive in the last 90 days.

A negative test result for this test means that SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in the specimen. However, a negative result does not completely rule out COVID-19 and should not be used as the sole basis for treatment or patient management decisions. When diagnostic testing is negative, the possibility of a false negative result should be considered in the context of any recent exposure and clinical signs or symptoms that may suggest COVID-19. The possibility of a false-negative result should especially be considered if COVID-19 is clinically likely and diagnostic tests for other causes of illness (e.g., other respiratory illness) are negative.  If COVID-19 is still suspected, re-testing should be considered by healthcare providers in consultation with public health authorities.

A positive test result indicates that SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected, and the patient is presumably infected with the virus and presumably contagious.  Laboratory test results should be considered in the clinical and community context to establish a final diagnosis and care plan. Positive results do not rule out simultaneous bacterial infection or co-infection with other viruses. Patient management decisions should be made by a healthcare provider and should follow the current CDC guidelines. The COVID-19 test has been designed to minimize the likelihood of false-positive test results, but it may not be possible to completely exclude a false positive. Of note, viral genetic material detected by NAAT may remain in a person's body for up to 90 days after the initial positive test. As a result, patients should not use molecular tests if they have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the last 90 days.

Our Patient Service Centers sites are now performing COVID-19 antibody testing and can be collected with providers orders. It is important to note, that our Patient Service Centers cannot collect respiratory (e.g., nasopharyngeal swabs) specimens for individuals who believe they have COVID-19 and are symptomatic.

Our Patient Service Centers are only accepting asymptomatic patients along with medical provider’s orders.  As always, please work with your patient to determine collection options. 

Detailed information about WestPac Labs' COVID-19 test can be accessed here: Test Directory

Serology testing can check for different types of antibodies developed after exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Unlike PCR tests, serology tests by themselves are of limited value in the immediate diagnosis of a patient where COVID-19 infection is suspected. The test is designed to detect antibodies in a blood sample that would indicate that you have been previously infected by SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, antibodies may not be detected until 10-21 days following infection.

Serology tests may detect different types of antibodies. A positive result from an appropriately validated serology test indicates that someone currently has or has previously had COVID-19. However, a serology test may yield a negative test result even in infected patients (e.g., if antibody has not yet developed in response to the virus) or may be falsely positive (e.g., if antibody to a coronavirus type other than the current pandemic novel strain is present). Antibody tests by themselves cannot establish the immediate diagnosis of COVID-19. Serology testing cannot detect or rule out the presence of the virus.

Serology tests, when used broadly, can also be useful in understanding how many people have been infected or exposed and how far the pandemic has progressed.

Using this type of test on many patients may help the medical community to better understand how the immune response against the SARS-CoV-2 virus develops in patients over time and may provide guidance in infection control, exposure risk assessment, social distancing, and other population surveillance and preventive efforts.

Serology tests can play a critical role in the fight against COVID-19 by helping healthcare professionals identify individuals who have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 virus. In the future, this may potentially be used to help determine, together with other clinical data, whether these individuals may be less susceptible to infection.

Our Patient Service Centers and are now performing COVID-19 antibody testing and can be collected with providers orders. It is important to note, that our Patient Service Centers cannot collect respiratory (e.g., nasopharyngeal swabs) specimens for individuals who believe they have COVID-19 and are symptomatic.

Our Patient Service Centers are only accepting asymptomatic patients along with medical provider’s orders. As always, please work with your patient to determine collection options.