False Positive at Port - Will DCL change their Non-retesting protocol?

[swimfin]

I'm curious why DCL won't allow retesting given the information below from a recent article:

"To help ensure the accuracy of positive tests, Layfield developed a protocol for repeat testing of all positive results involving asymptomatic and unexposed patients, and in all cases in which a specimen with a positive result was located in a testing well next to another specimen with a high virus load."

“Retesting of positive results from asymptomatic individuals revealed some technologist errors but also contamination from positive specimens in adjacent specimen wells,” Layfield said. “This study should alert the laboratory testing community of the possibility of false positive COVID-19 tests.”

I'm in the 90 day window; however, my husband is not and this is my biggest fear for our 4/25 sailing.

 

[lanejudy]

Inspire does retest from the original sample. They do not take a second sample from the individual except in rare cases where the original sample result was inconclusive.

 

[yowcruiser]

I'm curious why DCL won't allow retesting given the information below from a recent article:

"To help ensure the accuracy of positive tests, Layfield developed a protocol for repeat testing of all positive results involving asymptomatic and unexposed patients, and in all cases in which a specimen with a positive result was located in a testing well next to another specimen with a high virus load."

“Retesting of positive results from asymptomatic individuals revealed some technologist errors but also contamination from positive specimens in adjacent specimen wells,” Layfield said. “This study should alert the laboratory testing community of the possibility of false positive COVID-19 tests.”

I'm in the 90 day window; however, my husband is not and this is my biggest fear for our 4/25 sailing.

No, as they can't at this time (other than the retesting of the sample, as mentioned above). The CDC operating manual for cruise ships, updated for those cruise lines that opted into the new program is making it clear that re-testing is a big no-no, and that a subsequent negative does not negate the original positive... and that the positive result still needs to be reported...

 

[swimfin]

No, as they can't at this time (other than the retesting of the sample, as mentioned above). The CDC operating manual for cruise ships, updated for those cruise lines that opted into the new program is making it clear that re-testing is a big no-no, and that a subsequent negative does not negate the original positive... and that the positive result still needs to be reported...

THANK YOU about the CDC cruise operating manual explanation. This makes better sense! Cheers!

 

[Alaska777]

So what does happen if you test positive and they retest the same sample and it’s negative?

 

[swimfin]

So what does happen if you test positive and they retest the same sample and it’s negative?

So what does happen if you test positive and they retest the same sample and it’s negative?

I'd love to know the answer to this too AND do they automatically retest a positive test with the same sample or do you need to request it?

 

[lanejudy]

It is my understanding that the retest is part of standard protocol, and automatically done for any positive. This is done before they communicate any results to the individual. They do not re-test on request from the individual/family.

 

[swimfin]

It is my understanding that the retest is part of standard protocol, and automatically done for any positive. This is done before they communicate any results to the individual. They do not re-test on request from the individual/family.

THANK YOU!!

 

[Kwami]

So what does happen if you test positive and they retest the same sample and it’s negative?

I asked DCL about this back in September and I was told that if the first test was positive and the retest (of the same sample) was negative, then the negative test would "win" and I would be allowed to board. Essentially, the retest is to confirm the initial positive result.

 

[Starwind]

No, as they can't at this time (other than the retesting of the sample, as mentioned above). The CDC operating manual for cruise ships, updated for those cruise lines that opted into the new program is making it clear that re-testing is a big no-no, and that a subsequent negative does not negate the original positive... and that the positive result still needs to be reported...

This was also part of the original CSO technical guidance. Retesting was discouraged and a negative retest would not negative the positive original.

SW