can a doctor report to cdc about a patient without lab results confirming diagnosis?

by Dr. Victor Conn 5 min read

How to Report COVID-19 Laboratory Data | CDC

18 hours ago  · Email questions to DLSinquiries@cdc.gov. The public health response to COVID-19 depends on comprehensive laboratory testing data. These data will contribute to understanding COVID-19’s impact and testing coverage and can contribute to the identification of supply chain issues for reagents and other materials. >> Go To The Portal


Who is responsible for reporting COVID-19 tests?

The testing site that performs the COVID-19 test is responsible for reporting to the appropriate state or local public health department.

When is a COVID-19 case investigation initiated?

COVID-19 case investigations are typically initiated when a health department receives a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result report from a laboratory or a patient’s confirmed or probable diagnosis of COVID-19 from a healthcare provider.

What is the COVID-19 electronic case reporting (eCR)?

Electronic case reporting (eCR) is the automated generation and transmission of case reports from the electronic health record (EHR) to public health agencies for review and action. eCR makes disease reporting from healthcare to public health faster and easier.

What are consequences of a false negative COVID-19 test?

Risks to a patient of a false negative test result include: delayed or lack of supportive treatment, lack of monitoring of infected individuals and their household or other close contacts for symptoms resulting in increased risk of spread of COVID-19 within the community, or other unintended adverse events.

Is it possible to test positive for COVID-19 after symptoms appear?

“The high percentage of positive antigen test results during the 5–9 days after symptom onset reinforces the importance of correct and consistent mask use during this period,” the CDC said.

Who is responsible for investigating COVID-19 cases and communicating who was exposed to them?

Health departments are responsible for conducting COVID-19 case investigations and contact tracing and often have legal mandates to investigate cases of communicable disease and a duty to notify contacts that they were exposed. Health departments should initiate investigations as quickly as possible.

Can I still have sex during the coronavirus pandemic?

If both of you are healthy and feeling well, are practicing social distancing and have had no known exposure to anyone with COVID-19, touching, hugging, kissing, and sex are more likely to be safe.

What is the CDC case surveillance program for COVID-19?

CDC uses national case surveillance to: Track the spread of COVID-19 to identify areas of concern and inform state decision-makers. Help state and local public health departments better control COVID-19 by evaluating trends in case demographics, exposures, and outcomes to identify groups most at risk.

How often can you take Paxlovid?

“With Paxlovid, you take three pills, twice a day, for a total of five days," says Rachel Kenney, a pharmacist at Henry Ford Health. "It helps your body fight off the virus, preventing it from replicating before it becomes serious.”

Can you get a false negative COVID-19 diagnostic test?

There's a chance that your COVID-19 diagnostic test could return a false-negative result. This means that the test didn't detect the virus, even though you actually are infected with it.

Can a person test negative and later test positive for COVID-19?

It is possible for this test to give a negative result that is incorrect (false negative) in some people with COVID- 19. This means that you could possibly still have COVID- 19 even though the test is negative. The amount of antigen in a sample may decrease the longer you have symptoms of infection.

Should I repeat the at-home COVID-19 test if it is negative?

Some self-tests are designed to be used in a series (also known as serial testing). Consider repeating the test 24 to 48 hours later. Multiple negative tests increases the confidence that you are not infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.

Key Points

Regulatory Requirements For Rapid Testing in Point-Of-Care Settings

  • There are four different types of CLIA certificatespdf iconexternal icon, any one of which is appropriate for point-of-care testing. A CLIA certificate is required to perform point-of-care testing. A CLIA Certificate of Waiver is appropriate if SARS-CoV-2 point-of-care testing is the only testing being performed. It can be obtained as follows: 1. Complete an application (Form CMS-116pdf i…
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Tests That Can Be Used in Point-Of-Care Settings

  • Refer to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website for a list of the SARS-CoV-2 point-of-care and rapid tests that have received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)external icon. Tests that have been authorized for use in a point-of-care setting will have a W, for Waived, in the Authorized Settings column of the FDA table. The laboratory or testing site must use a test auth…
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Reporting Requirements For Rapid Testing in Point-Of-Care Settings

  • A CLIA-certified laboratory or testing site must report all positive SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic and screening test results to the person who was tested or that person’s healthcare provider. CLIA-certified laboratories or testing sites are no longer required to report negative results for non-NAAT tests (rapid or antigen test results) or antibody tests, ...
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Specimen Collection & Handling of Rapid Tests in Point-Of-Care Settings

  • Each point-of-care test has been authorized for use with certain specimen types and should only be used with those specimen types. Proper specimen collection and handling are critical for all COVID-19 testing, including those tests performed in point-of-care settings. A specimen that is not collected or handled correctly can lead to an inaccurate or unreliable test result. Personnel colle…
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Learn More About Performing Rapid Tests in Point-Of-Care Settings

  • CDC has free training and tools to help you learn the basics about performing point-of-care testing. The companies that make the tests and testing systems also have free training resources designed to help you use the tests. Find links in this section to resources and training that will help you get ready to test.
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CDC Educational Materials For Rapid Testing in Point-Of-Care Settings

  • Many COVID-19 point-of-care and rapid tests fall into a category called waived tests, which are tests performed in a laboratory or at a testing site under a CLIA Certificate of Waiver. CDC has free educational and training resources for waived point-of-care testing, including: Ready? Set? Test!is an online training course that explains the waived testing process and how to help ensur…
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Tips For Using Rapid Antigen Tests

  • Below are links to documents for select SARS-CoV-2 specific antigen tests procured in large numbers by the U.S. government. Based on CDC experience with these tests, following these tips will help to ensure the tests are performed correctly. 1. Cue® Professional Antigen Testpdf icon[12 MB, 6 pages] 2. BD Veritor™ System for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2pdf icon[7MB, 4 …
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