COVID-19 LAB REPORTS
COVID-19 LAB REPORTS
We use Dynacare Laboratories to process our swabs
The test result
This is not shown as "positive" or "negative" on our lab report but rather is displayed as "detected" or "not detected". This is how the result is reported at most labs. We have had very few calls from travellers saying this presented a problem.
The type of test
PCR: Polymerase chain reaction. This is what most airlines want to see and it appears on your lab report.
RT-PCR: Real time polymerase chain reaction. A type of PCR. This appears on your lab report.
NAAT: Nucleic Acid Amplification Test. There are several kinds of NAAT, of which PCR and RT-PCR are examples. This appears on your lab report.
Here is what the lab report looks like. Scroll using the sidebar to see it in full.
- Valid for international travel
- Government of Canada approved laboratory
- ISO 15189-certified - Certificate provided on request
- Lab report includes
- the time that the swab was taken
- the time that the swab was processed at the lab
- the time of issue of the lab report
- description of test as a real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and as NAAT (nucleic acid amplification test)
- comprehensive identifiers: your name, date of birth, postal code and phone number
- signature of laboratory microbiologist
The test result
This is not shown as "positive" or "negative" on our lab report but rather is displayed as "detected" or "not detected". This is how the result is reported at most labs. We have had very few calls from travellers saying this presented a problem.
The type of test
PCR: Polymerase chain reaction. This is what most airlines want to see and it appears on your lab report.
RT-PCR: Real time polymerase chain reaction. A type of PCR. This appears on your lab report.
NAAT: Nucleic Acid Amplification Test. There are several kinds of NAAT, of which PCR and RT-PCR are examples. This appears on your lab report.
Here is what the lab report looks like. Scroll using the sidebar to see it in full.
"Seventy-two hours"
This is the most common time frame that airlines and countries require for the COVID-19 test. In most cases this means 72 hours from when the swab is taken at the clinic until arrival at the destination airport. However, this is not always the case. Some countries give more leeway because the time interval is calculated until when the flight departs, not arrives.
A few countries seem to time it from when the test is reported, not taken at the clinic,, which is easier to manage.
Some countries give a longer time window to travellers, for example 96 hours.
Demographics
Your name, date of birth, age, Canadian postal code and phone number are shown on the lab report. Errors are very uncommon but you should carefully check that these are accurate to avoid difficulties at the airport. You should do likewise with the time shown for when the swab was done.
Certification
A very few countries require documents attesting to the certification of the lab. We can provide these upon request. Depending on what is required, there may be an extra charge. We are using Dynacare Laboratories to process our swabs.
For answers to commonly-asked questions or to book, click Home up top.
This is the most common time frame that airlines and countries require for the COVID-19 test. In most cases this means 72 hours from when the swab is taken at the clinic until arrival at the destination airport. However, this is not always the case. Some countries give more leeway because the time interval is calculated until when the flight departs, not arrives.
A few countries seem to time it from when the test is reported, not taken at the clinic,, which is easier to manage.
Some countries give a longer time window to travellers, for example 96 hours.
Demographics
Your name, date of birth, age, Canadian postal code and phone number are shown on the lab report. Errors are very uncommon but you should carefully check that these are accurate to avoid difficulties at the airport. You should do likewise with the time shown for when the swab was done.
Certification
A very few countries require documents attesting to the certification of the lab. We can provide these upon request. Depending on what is required, there may be an extra charge. We are using Dynacare Laboratories to process our swabs.
For answers to commonly-asked questions or to book, click Home up top.