How long does it usually take for a nucleic acid test report to be issued?

Nucleic acid testing will generally produce results 72 hours after the test is completed. The testing agency will individually notify those with questionable test results within 48 hours, instead of issuing individual reports to those with negative tests. If no notification is received within 72-96 hours, the result will be negative.

For example, Mr. Yang, who came to Beijing on a business trip from Tianjin, took a nucleic acid test at 731 Hospital in Fengtai District. Since the results were not available for a long time, the train policy was that he would not be allowed to sit without a nucleic acid test result. At that time, it was said that it would be available in 3 working days, but now there is a notice posted at the place where the report is obtained, saying that it will take 6 working days, making it impossible to take the high-speed rail back to Tianjin.

Extended information

Negative nucleic acid test results are valid for 7 days

The validity period is set within 7 days, mainly based on the incubation period of the new coronavirus. The incubation period of COVID-19 is usually between 3 and 7 days. Some people have less than 3 days, some have more than 7 days, and the longest incubation period is 14 days. Therefore, 14 days is set as the observation period for close contacts.

A negative nucleic acid test means that the patient is not infected with the virus. It may also be that the sample is damaged due to irregularities in the sample sampling process, or problems with the testing reagents, personnel, etc. lead to false negative results. In addition, human samples must be sterilized at high temperatures before nucleic acid extraction. In this case, negative nucleic acid test results may also occur.