Receiving COVID-19 Test Results
Electronic test results are currently running 24-48 hours. You need to activate your portal account through the email you received from National Jewish Health with the subject of Activate Your Patient Account Now. Results will only be sent by mail only if specifically requested when you book the appointment.
Viewing Test Results
You will receive an email notifying you when your test results are available. To view test results, log in to your secure, patient account and look for Test Results & More on your personalized dashboard. Click View Test Results and select View Details to download a PDF with your results.
A result status of PENDING indicates that your results are not available yet. Results are typically available within 24 hours.
Results can be accessed from your patient portal dashboard:
Results for Children or Other Patients (those with caregivers, etc.)
Access to additional patients must be under an authorized representative’s (parent, guardian, etc.) account.
- The authorized representative account is created first, and then others may be added.
- Once your account is created, log in and visit the My Account section. Click Add Patient to Account and select “They received a COVID-19 test.”
- You will receive an email notifying you when patients in your account have test results available.
Understanding COVID-19 Molecular/PCR Test Results
Your COVID-19 molecular/PCR test results will have one of four findings: Pending, Not Detected, Indeterminate or Detected.
Pending: The laboratory is still processing your blood sample.
Detected: Results are indicative of active infection with SARS-CoV-2 but do not rule out bacterial infection or co-infection with other viruses. The agent detected may not be the definite cause of the disease. Additional testing for other infectious agents may be required. Laboratories within the United States and territories are required to report all positive SARS-CoV-2 results to the appropriate health authorities.
Not Detected: Results do not preclude SARS-CoV-2 infection and should not be used as the sole basis for patient management decisions. If SARS-CoV-2 is still suspected based on clinical findings, history and epidemiologic information, re-testing should be considered.
Indeterminate: Results may occur due to insufficient amplifiable material or inhibitory substances in the specimen. Testing has been repeated and reportable results could not be achieved. A new specimen collection is recommended if clinically indicated.
Any follow-up questions should be referred to an individual’s physician. If you do not already have a physician, you can make an appointment with a doctor at National Jewish Health at 303.398.1355.
Understanding COVID-19 Antibody Test Results
Your COVID-19 antibody test results (IgG or IgM) will have one of four findings: Pending, Not Detected, Borderline or Detected.
Pending: The laboratory is still processing your blood sample.
Not Detected: IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were not detected in your blood. When antibodies are not detected the test result is considered negative. Negative results for IgG antibodies do not rule out a SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly in people who have been in contact with the virus. Your immune function may have been suppressed by other health issues or the antibody level is too low for this test to detect.
Borderline: Borderline results show that the test detected some IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, but the antibody level was too low to determine that you have had a past infection. Borderline results may indicate a very early infection or a prior infection with other Coronaviruses. It is recommended that the test be repeated at a later date.
Detected: IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected in your blood. These results indicate a recent or prior infection with SARS-CoV-2. Rarely, a false positive result can occur due to a prior infection with other human Coronaviruses.
Any follow-up questions should be referred to an individual’s physician. If you do not already have a physician, you can make an appointment with a doctor at National Jewish Health at 303.398.1355.
Additional Information & Care
For additional information on your results, please visit njhealth.org/antibodytestfacts. You may discuss these results with your doctor or by scheduling an appointment at National Jewish Health online or by calling 303.398.1355.
We are now seeing COVID-19 patients in our Acute Respiratory Clinics for adults and pediatrics. Same day or next day appointments are available, seven days a week. We also have opened a COVID-19 Recovery Clinic to address respiratory complications due to COVID-19.
FAQs | COVID-19 IgG Test Fact | COVID-19 Swab (PCR) Test Fact
| The information on our website is medically reviewed and accurate at the time of publication. Due to the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, information may have since changed. CDC.gov and your state’s health department may offer additional guidance. |
