More SHIELD Test Information
covidSHIELD On-Demand Patient Resources
This article provides resources and links for common patient questions for the covidSHIELD On-Demand program. SHIELD Patient Hotline Call 217-265-6059, available 24/7 for patient inquiries. ...
How to activate your Self Collected covidSHIELD Kit in the PnC Portal.
This article provides instructions on activating a self collected covidSHIELD test kit in the patent portal. Step 1 Navigate to https://shieldillinoisportal.pointnclick.com and login into your account. Step 2 On the main menu, click “Self Collection ...
How can I change my account's primary agency?
If you test at more than one agency, you can select your primary or home agency. Here is how you do it. Log into your portal as you usually do. Click "Personal Details" Scroll down and click the drop down menu under "Primary Agency." Select the ...
How do I add community testing (or other agency) to my child's profile?
If your dependent child tests with SHIELD Illinois at school or camp and you would like to take them to a SHIELD Illinois community testing site for additional testing, you will first need to add the community testing agency to your child's profile. ...
Will covidSHIELD catch variants? Delta? Omicron? Can I tell which variant I have?
Based on all available information, the covidSHIELD test will be able to identify that a specimen which is positive for the Omicron variant contains SARS-CoV-2 (i.e. the Omicron variant will not cause a false negative). The covidSHIELD test looks for ...
I already have a SHIELD Illinois account. Can I add my school, employer, etc, to my existing account?
Absolutely! Here is how you do it. (Before you start, you will need your new agency's "agency code.) Log into your portal as you usually do. Click "Personal Details" Scroll down and click "Add Agency Division." Agencies affiliated with your account ...
What is covidSHIELD’s false positive rate? I heard the test is no more accurate than a coin flip, or 50/50. Is that true?
The answer to that is, unequivocally, "no." And it is wrong by a long shot. Let me explain: In a perfect world, we would know the exact number of infected people, which would be the starting point in making such a calculation. Without knowing that ...
Can I print a result for myself? A student? Employee?
Yes. As a patient, you can print your results directly from the patient portal. If you are a Point and Click Mass Tester User and want to print results for a patient in your organization, find the specimen number of the most recent test for that ...
Could something I ate have caused a false positive?
No. SHIELD Illinois encourages everyone to refrain from eating or drinking for 60 minutes before the test to prevent the specimen from being rejected by the lab or producing a result of INVALID. Eating or drinking before the test would not cause an ...
Does SHIELD Illinois offer Binax (antigen) testing?
The short answer is "yes." The long answer is SHIELD Illinois only provides operational support for BINAX testing for K-12 public schools which are already participating in the SHIELD Illinois covidSHIELD saliva testing program. Overview SHIELD ...
How long does it take to get my results?
Results should be available within 24-48 hours of when they were received by the lab and can vary from day to day. If you have not received your results in 36 hours from the time they were sent, please contact the patient support line (for individual ...
Is this a pooled sample test?
No. SHIELD Illinois does not perform the covidSHIELD test on pooled specimens. Each specimen is tested individually from beginning to end. Upon analysis, SHIELD Illinois found that there was little to no economic or resource benefit to performing the ...
How can I access my child's results?
Parents or guardians can access the results of their dependent minor enrolled in SHIELD Illinois program by creating an account in the parent's name and connecting to the existing record of the dependent minor by matching four unique identifiers of ...
How do I see my results?
SHIELD Illinois has the ability to provide every patient (or patient's guardian) with access to a portal to see individual results. However, whether access to patient portals is allowed for patients at an agency (e.g. school/employer) is determined ...
Can I schedule a test for myself?
SHIELD Illinois does not offer individual testing. However, individuals can get tested using the covidSHIELD test by SHIELD Illinois through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) community testing sites. The list of sites and times can be ...
Is the covidSHIELD test authorized by the FDA?
Yes! The covidSHIELD test has had FDA Emergency Use Authorization ("EUA") since March 1st, 2021. The EUA was updated to increase the scope of the test on April 2nd, 2021. Information about the covidSHIELD EUA from the FDA can be found here: Most ...
Where can I find more information about the science behind the covidSHIELD test?
We sincerely wish we could personally answer every question that we receive about the testing process, the science behind the test, misconceptions in the media, and everything else. It just isn’t possible. Below, you will find information about our ...
Where can I get more information about a test result from SHIELD?
You should consult with your healthcare provider or local health department. SHIELD does not provide any information beyond positive, negative, inconclusive, and invalid results.
I tested positive, then negative, then positive again. What should I do?
Repeat testing after the initial positive test is neither required nor recommended. You should rely on your initial positive covidSHIELD test as definitive, take appropriate action to isolate and consult with your health care provider or local health ...
I tested positive with covidSHIELD and negative with nasal PCR or other test. Which result is correct?
Not all PCR tests are the same. They run on different PCR instruments, use different reagents, look for different genes, etc. etc. For example, the covidSHIELD saliva test is more reliable overall compared to self-collected nasal specimens. Nasal PCR ...
Do I need to have another test to confirm my covidSHIELD results
No. Follow-up testing is not needed. The covidSHIELD saliva-based test is a definitive rtPCR diagnostic test authorized by the FDA.
Does the covidSHIELD test identify SARS-CoV-2 variants?
The covidSHIELD test will detect all known variants of SARS-CoV-2. This ability is monitored rigorously by Thermo-Fischer, the company who produces the reagents which is the part of the test which identifies the SARS-CoV-2 markers. The covidSHIELD ...
Will the covidSHIELD test detect antibodies from a previous infection or vaccination?
No, the test is specifically designed to detect viral genomic material (i.e. RNA) present in viral particles or free form.
How reliable are covidSHIELD test results?
In a recent study, the saliva test was shown to have a specificity of 98.9% and a sensitivity of 95.8%. The FDA-authorized covidSHIELD test targets three highly conserved regions of the viral genome for detection. High specificity offered by ...
I don't have any symptoms. Is this a false positive?
It is extremely unlikely for the covidSHIELD test to produce a false positive result. In a recent study, the saliva test was shown to have a specificity of 98.9% and a sensitivity of 95.8% which makes it one of the most accurate tests in the world. ...
Are masks required at testing locations?
Yes. Regardless of any other guidelines or facility rules, masks are required for all staff and testers to minimize exposure pursuant to CDC guidelines.
Where can a patient get help with portal login issues or other questions?
Our patient support line is staffed 24/7 to handle all patient inquiries including passport resets, login errors, adding new testing locations or agencies to existing accounts, merging duplicate accounts, correcting email addresses, and all similar ...
Are masks required in testing locations?
CDC guidance currently states that masks are required in all healthcare settings. As such, we require all patients, staff, and any other visitor to remain masked at all times at our collection sites except when producing a specimen.
How does the covidSHIELD test work with contact tracing?
SHIELD IL reports all negatives and positives to Illinois Department of Public Health which in-turn reports positives to the Local Health Department for contract tracing purposes.
Where are SHIELD laboratories located?
SHIELD Illinois has seven CLIA-certified laboratories throughout the state, including in Decatur, Itasca, Maywood, Normal, North Chicago, Rockford, and Springfield.
Can I take this test at home?
At the present time, the SHIELD Illinois test must be completed in the testing room under observation of the collection staff. SHIELD must maintain chain of custody due to FDA, EUA, and CLIA lab regulations.
How is the test specimen disposed of after testing?
Test specimens are safely and permanently destroyed once testing is completed in accordance with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency rules and regulations. Negative, inconclusive, invalid, and rejected specimens are immediately discarded to be ...
Isn't a collection site the perfect place for COVID-19 to spread?
Every precaution is taken at collection sites. In fact, no collection site worker (who might spend 40 hours/week at a collection site) has been infected at work. Drooling does not generate an appreciable amount of aerosols, so there is no worry for ...
When people drool, do the droplets stay in the area or do they disperse?
Drooling does not generate an appreciable amount of aerosols, so there is nothing to worry about with airborne particles.
What happens if someone, including a child, cannot produce an acceptable saliva specimen?
Our supportive collection site staff members can help you produce a sufficient saliva sample. However, in order to complete the test, an acceptable saliva specimen is required (i.e., no food, liquids, or other substances in the mouth for one hour ...
What do my results mean?
The covidSHIELD test looks for three markers which are specific to the SARS-CoV-2 virus plus a control substance which is added during the testing process. The results of the test can be interpreted as follows: Negative – The test did not find any of ...
How will a patient or organization be notified of test results?
How or if a patient or organization will receive results is dependent on the organization type and how it was requested to be configured. For community test sites, the patient will receive their results through the patient portal at ...
How long will it take to receive results?
Results should normally be received within 24 hours from the time a sample is received in one of our labs.
What information is required to be tested?
People utilizing a SHIELD community testing site must provide an email address or phone number as identification to be tested and receive results. For testing at schools or other organizations not open to the public, the sponsoring organization may ...
What should I do before the test?
Drink lots of water and if you can, brush your teeth one hour before the test. You should not eat, drink or put anything in your mouth one hour before taking the salvia-based test. This includes smoking, drinking, chewing gum, using mouth wash, ...
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