Indeterminate Results for COVID-19 Antibody – Retesting is Required

In certain cases, an antibody test for COVID-19 can result in the need for a retest. This includes cases where the results are indeterminate, meaning neither negative nor positive, and when the test itself could not be performed, possibly because the sample was collected or transported incorrectly.

Indeterminate​ ​Antibody Results

Your results are indeterminate. This means that the results were neither positive nor negative. You will need to be retested in order to confirm whether or not you have antibodies to COVID-19.

An indeterminate​ ​result can happen if you do not have enough antibodies for the test to detect, such as if you test too soon after becoming infected. This result can also happen if there was a problem with your sample or the test itself.

Test Not Performed (TNP) Antibody Results

If you result says “Test Not Performed,” this means that the testing of your blood could not be completed. You will need to provide another blood sample in order to confirm if you have​ ​antibodies against coronavirus.

While rare, this result can happen if there was a problem with how your sample was collected or transported, or issues arose with the sample or laboratory test itself.

Next Steps

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Contact your employer about getting another COVID-19 Antibody Test and what to do while you wait to get retested. You should follow your employer’s guidance regarding ways to protect yourself and others from being infected with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
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Due to the lack of evidence to support protective immunity, if you are exposed, monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. If you develop symptoms, contact your employer right away to determine next steps. If you develop severe or concerning symptoms, seek medical attention right away.
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Be sure to continue to follow federal, state, and local government guidance regarding social distancing and COVID-19 safety precautions.
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If you have questions about this test or your results, you can contact the PWNHealth Care Coordination Team at 315-401-7865, Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time, or email PWNHealth at ​covid19@pwnhealth.com​. You can also leave a message after hours and a PWNHealth team member will call you back as soon as possible.

FDA Disclaimers

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This test has not been approved by the FDA.
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Negative results do not rule out SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly in those who have been in contact with the virus. Follow-up testing with a molecular diagnostic should be considered to rule out infection in these individuals.
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Results from antibody testing should not be used as the sole basis to diagnose or exclude SARS-CoV-2 infection or to inform infection status.
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Positive results may be due to past or present infection with non-SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus strains, such as coronavirus HKU1, NL63, OC43, or 229E.