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CSTE National ELR Workgroup

Welcome to the CSTE National ELR Workgroup Basecamp! We hope you will utilize the space to share resources with colleagues, start discussion threads, and identify topics for the workgroup to tackle on future calls. All workgroup members will have the opportunity to join. Please note that you may edit your notification preferences to suit your needs (and your email inbox). If you are not already on the ELR distribution list and would like to receive call communications, please enroll using this subscription form (copy and paste in browser): https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/5a91a4579952496682084796b82112e6
Becky Lampkins, Manager, Surveillance/Informatics Program at CSTEMegan Toe, CSTEScott Troppy, Surveillance Epidemiologist at MA DPHMeredith Lichtenstein, CSTEAmy Drake, NMJohn RobertsNancy Barrett, Epi 4/PH Informatics SpecialistErin Holt, TDHRita Altamore, EpidemiologistDavid DiCesareJason HallWalter Kemper, ELR Coordinator, NC DHHS Div of Public HealthJulie LuepkeCarmen Pugh, Labcorp Manager State Reporting at LabCorpTom Safranek +399 others
Other ELR by Annie Fine ·

📈 How are you handling indeterminate or inconclusive results for COVID-19?

Hi all, 

We had been regarding indeterminate or inconclusive results as negative for COVID but just recently received some results on a Cobas RT-PCR test run by some of our major hospitals that indicated that an indeterminate result should be regarded as positive. Was wondering how all of you are handling indeterminate or inconclusive results in general - for PCR/NAAT or for Antigen?

Thank you!

Annie Fine
NYC DOHMH

Comments & Events

Theresa Kittle, Epidemiologist/ELR Coordinator Theresa Kittle, Epidemiologist/ELR Coordinator
Hi, Annie,

In Mississippi, we have been handling the indeterminate or inconclusive results the same way as negative results.

Thanks,

Theresa

Theresa S. Kittle, MPH
Epidemiology Program Director
Mississippi State Department of Health
www.HealthyMS.com<http://www.healthyms.com/>
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Riki Merrick, Terminologist at APHL Riki Merrick, Terminologist at APHL
I think it depends why they are calling it inconclusive - in a lot of the PCR tests they use more than one target to identify SARS-CoV-2 and some of the targets are not specific to SARS-CoV-2, but they identify any SArbecovirus - if that is the case, then it may very well be considered positive, as not very many other types will be circulating right now. At CDC/HHS they track detected / not detected and inconclusive and not done as allowable results.
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John Satre, Informatician at Iowa Department of Public Health John Satre, Informatician
In Iowa, we treat them as negatives, but our recommendation is to get retested. 
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Kristy Lunquest, Maryland Department of Health Kristy Lunquest
We have never treated them as positives in Maryland. The recommendation would also be to get retested.
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Sita Smith Sita Smith
Same in MA
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Riki Merrick, Terminologist at APHL Riki Merrick, Terminologist at APHL
I wholeheartedly agree with recommendation to re-test :)
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Annie Fine Annie Fine
Thank you all for this useful feedback!  Great group!
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