November 3, 2021 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health is updating the public on the temporary process regarding negative COVID-19 test results as the information technology (IT) systems outage across the province continues to impact a number of health-related services.
Due to current inability to access the COVID-19 Results Portal, there is an inability to access and report negative COVID-19 test results at this time. As a result and based on recommendations provided by the Regional Medical Officer of Health and Public Health, the following temporary process will apply. This direction is based upon our local epidemiology and prevalence, and current lab turnaround time for results and is subject to change.
Members of the public:
- You will be contacted directly by Public Health if your COVID-19 test result is positive, or if you require retesting due to an inconclusive result.
- Temporary direction: If you have not received a notification from Public Health within 72 hours after your swab was collected, you may assume your test is negative for COVID-19. Please continue to follow the advice provided to you for your isolation requirements from Public Health, if applicable.
- Self-Isolation Assessment Tool: https://www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/public-health-guidance/self-isolation/assessment-tool/.
Inpatients in hospital and residents:
- If the COVID-19 test result is positive or inconclusive, the appropriate unit will be contacted by the Public Health Lab; the unit will provide this information to the patient/resident.
- Temporary direction: If the unit has not received a notification from the lab up to 72 hours after the swab was collected, the inpatient/resident may assume their test is negative for COVID-19. The health-care team will provide direction to inpatients/residents regarding isolation, as required.
- Inpatients/residents can direct questions to the health-care team.
Eastern Health recognizes the impacts to patients, clients and residents across the organization during the IT systems outage and we apologize for the inconvenience. We also thank the public for their patience, recognizing that many services may experience unexpected or unavoidable delays, as Eastern Health staff continue to adjust processes to ensure patient safety.
We are committed to keeping the public informed about this unanticipated disruption in services. Updates will be provided as information becomes available via Eastern Health’s website at www.easternhealth.ca and social media platforms, Facebook (www.facebook.com/EasternHealthNL) and Twitter (@EasternHealthNL).
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