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
RT-PCR: On our lab report it is shown as RT-PCR. This stands for Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction. One sole traveller had a problem at the airport because the official insisted the test required was not an RT-PCR but rather a PCR.
PCR: As above
NAAT: This is a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test. There are several kinds of NAAT, of which RT-PCR is one.
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
RT-PCR: On our lab report it is shown as RT-PCR. This stands for Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction. One sole traveller had a problem at the airport because the official insisted the test required was not an RT-PCR but rather a PCR.
PCR: As above
NAAT: This is a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test. There are several kinds of NAAT, of which RT-PCR is one.
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. The United States appears to give a little more leeway because the ending-time is when the flight departs, not arrival. A few countries seem to time it from when the test is reported until arrival, which gives more leeway.
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. The United States appears to give a little more leeway because the ending-time is when the flight departs, not arrival. A few countries seem to time it from when the test is reported until arrival, which gives more leeway.
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.