Back to Tests

Your COVID-19 test

results
The COVID-19 test conducted by Sema4 detects
the presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in a
biological specimen like a nasal swab, throat
swab, or saliva sample.

Not Detected
You were not found to have an active COVID-
19 infection at the time of testing.

Understanding your results

SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was not found in your
biological specimen that was submitted for
testing. This means it is very unlikely that you had
a COVID-19 infection at the time you took this test.

However, there is a small chance (less than 5%)

that this test produced a false negative, meaning
that the test indicated that you do not have an
infection when you actually do.

A false negative can occur if:

Your exposure to COVID-19 was recent
Your viral loads are so low that they were
unable to be detected by the test
Your specimen was not collected properly as
per the instructions given

In very rare cases, a false negative can occur if

you are infected with a strain of SARS-CoV-2 that
has undergone a mutation. This is not necessarily
cause for concern. Most mutations have little to no
impact on the severity or contagion level of a
disease.

If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19,

we encourage you to reach out to your healthcare
provider. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
has a self-checking tool that can help you decide
if you need to seek medical care.

See your report

Your full report provides additional information
about your results as well as the type of test used.
Please note that this is a medical report and so it
may use terms that you are unfamiliar with.

View full report

Avoiding COVID-19 Transmission

If you do not currently have COVID-19, you are still
at risk of contracting the disease. It is also possible
to contract COVID-19 and never develop
symptoms. It is important to take precautions
against both protecting yourself from contracting
COVID-19, and from spreading it
asymptomatically.

COVID-19 is thought to spread from person to

person, primarily between people who are in close
contact – 6 feet or less - with each other. Infection
can occur when respiratory droplets that are
produced when an infected person coughs,
sneezes or talks are transmitted to others nearby.

The CDC recommends taking the following steps

to reduce your risk of contracting or transmitting
COVID-19:

Wash your hands frequently. Wash your hands

with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after
you have been in a public place. If you are unable
to wash your hands, a hand sanitizer that consists
of at least 60% alcohol is a good back up. Avoid
touching your eyes, nose or mouth with hands that
are unwashed.

Avoid close contact with others. When in public,

practice social distancing. Try to remain at least 6
feet from other people at all times, and avoid
gathering in groups. If you live with someone
infected with COVID-19, try to remain six feet from
them if possible.

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face

covering when around other people. Covering
your nose and mouth can help protect other
people in case you are sick. You should still
practice social distancing and attempt to keep six
feet in between yourself and other people, even
when wearing a face cover or mask.

Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or

sneezing. Always cover your nose and mouth
when you cough and sneeze, using either a tissue
or the inside of your elbow. After you cough or
sneeze, you should clean your hands by washing
with soap and water or using hand sanitizer.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

Everyday items that you touch or handle
frequently, such as doorknobs, light switches,
phones, keyboards, faucets, and sinks, should be
disinfected daily.

For more detailed information around protecting

COVID-19 transmission, please visit:
https:/
/www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

© 2021 Sema4