COVID-19 Provider Guidance (3-24-2020) | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Specimen Rejection Criteria

• Specimens without a REDCap# or not meeting the approval criteria given in this document for testing.
• Specimens not kept at 2-8°C (≤72 hrs) or if specimens have not been frozen at -70°C and they are >72 hrs old.
• Incomplete specimen labeling or documentation. Unlabeled vials containing the NP swab will be rejected.
• Inappropriate specimen type.
• Insufficient specimen volume for testing.

    Result Reporting

• Turnaround time for testing will be dependent on testing volumes.
• NCSLPH electronic reports are posted on our CELR (Clinical and Environment Laboratory Reports) online system.
  • Set up a CELR Account - Requires the facility's unique EIN
  • CELR Tutorial
• Specimens testing positive at the NCSLPH will be reported as "Positive 2019-nCoV"
• Specimens testing negative at the NCSLPH will be reported as 2019-nCoV "Not Detected."

    Clinical Laboratory Safety Guidance

• Laboratorians should use appropriate precautions when handling specimens that may contain SARS-CoV-2. Timely communication between clinical and laboratory staff is essential to minimize the risk associated when handling specimens from patients with possible COVID-19. Such specimens should be labeled accordingly, and the laboratory should be alerted to ensure proper specimen handling.
  • Additional information can be found in:
    • The CDC Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines for Handling and Processing Specimens Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

    Requests for Additional Information From NCSLPH

• For general information, non-urgent LABORATORY questions about specimen collection, testing, and reporting please email the NCSLPH COVID-19 helpdesk at slph.covid19@dhhs.nc.gov.
• For critical laboratory-related questions during normal business hours (8am - 5pm, Monday - Friday) please call the SLPH Customer Service line at 919-733-3937.

    Requests for Information from Communicable Disease Branch

• For members of the public, please call the NC COVID-19 Call Center at 866-462-3821.
• For non-urgent questions, please email ncresponse@dhhs.nc.gov.

    Notes:     ^[1]Fever may be subjective or confirmed. Fever may not be present in some patients, such as those who are very young, elderly, immunosuppressed, or taking certain fever-lowering medications. Clinical judgment should be used to guide testing of patients in such situations.

    ^[2]For healthcare personnel, testing may be considered if there has been exposure to a person with suspected COVID-19 without laboratory confirmation


    ^[3]Close contact is defined as:

1. being within approximately 6 feet (2 meters), of a COVID-19 case for a prolonged period of time while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment or PPE (e.g., gowns, gloves, face mask or NIOSH-certified disposable N95 respirator, eye protection); close contact can include caring for, living with, visiting, or sharing a healthcare waiting area or room with a COVID-19 case.

- or -


2. having direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case (e.g., being coughed on) while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment.

    ^[4]Documentation of laboratory-confirmation of COVID-19 may not be possible for travelers or persons caring for COVID-19 patients in other countries.

• NC Department of Health and Human Services
• 2001 Mail Service Center
• Raleigh, NC 27699-2001
• Ph: (919) 855-4840
• news@dhhs.nc.gov