logo
Please note!
This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.
Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.

Did the CDC change the laboratory standard for determining a positive coronavirus test result?

By Gus Fisher
NO

Claims that the Centers for Disease Control has changed its coronavirus testing standards are based erroneously on instructions for labs submitting coronavirus specimens for sequencing in further research. CDC standards for determining whether someone has been infected by the virus haven’t changed.

The CDC is asking labs to screen for specimens with relatively high “viral loads” in order to help study so-called “breakthrough” COVID-19 cases among fully vaccinated people. To determine the load, scientists look at a figure called cycle threshold. Generally, a lower figure indicates a higher viral load, facilitating more accurate and complete examination of the virus.

The relationship between a specific threshold and symptoms and progression of COVID-19 disease are not yet well understood. Higher thresholds continue to be used in general testing for the presence of the virus.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
FACT BRIEF BY
facebook
twitter
email
email