August 11, 2020

An Understanding of Discordant SARS-CoV-2 Test Results: An Examination of the Data from a Central Auckland Laboratory

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

• Results from a retrospective observational study of patients with initial negative and subsequent positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR results in New Zealand suggest repeat testing may be indicated for patients who have a significant risk factor for infection and an initial negative test result. A total of 20,089 samples were received for SARS-CoV-2 testing. Of 2,011 samples from patients with multiple tests, 25 samples were positive. Nine samples were from patients who initially tested negative then tested positive. All 9 of these patients had significant risk factors for infection, such as international travel or exposure to a known contact, and ongoing or evolving symptoms that prompted repeat testing. 

Fox-Lewis et al. (July 31, 2020). An Understanding of Discordant SARS-CoV-2 Test Results: An Examination of the Data from a Central Auckland Laboratory. The New Zealand Medical Journal. https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal-articles/an-understanding-of-discordant-sars-cov-2-test-results-an-examination-of-the-data-from-a-central-auckland-laboratory