On March 8, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updated its Laboratory Data Reporting Guidance, according to a news release from the CDC.
Beginning April 4, 2022, COVID-19 testing facilities are no longer required to report NEGATIVE results for tests authorized for use under a CLIA certificate of waiver. This includes rapid and antigen testing performed for screening testing at schools, correctional facilities, employee testing programs, long-term care facilities, and rapid testing performed in pharmacies, medical provider offices, and drive-through and pop-up testing sites. In addition, testing facilities are no longer required to report POSITIVE or NEGATIVE antibody test results.
The updated guidance still requires laboratories to report both POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE results for laboratory-based nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) that are performed in a facility that is certified under CLIA to perform moderate- or high-complexity tests.
The updated guidance replaces a blanket requirement to report all SARS-CoV-2 test results and reflects more tailored reporting requirements that are specific to entity and test type.
