THREAD: The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) receives laboratory reports for notifiable diseases through its electronic system. During the #COVID19 pandemic, PCR, and now antigen tests, have been the diagnostic tests used to detect SARS-CoV-2. 1/8 
Only PCR and antigen tests are considered for case reporting and investigation by ADPH. Our Confirmed and Probable Cases provided on our Data Dashboard do not include antibody tests for COVID-19. Some providers have ordered and continue to order antibody tests for COVID-19. 2/8
Antibody testing is not a diagnostic tool for SARS-CoV-2 but may be useful in surveillance, in persons with late or unusual presentations of COVID-19, or in patients with late complications of COVID-19 such as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). 3/8
As both diagnostic tests and antibody tests are posted separately on our Data Dashboard as of the 09/01/20 update, diagnostic tests show one test per case and antibody tests are reported as one test per person. 4/8
While antibody test numbers are small, 5.7% of total testing performed, it is possible that a person's healthcare provider may order a diagnostic test for a case and later an antibody test as well. 5/8
Data Definition: Total Diagnostic Tests represents unique individuals tested with either diagnostic test (molecular or antigen test) that were reported to ADPH. These include testing performed by ADPH BCL, as well as commercial and clinical labs. 6/8
Data Definition: Total Antibody Tests represents unique individuals tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies that were reported to ADPH. These include testing performed by commercial and clinical laboratories. 7/8
All laboratories are required by law to report all results (including positive and negative results) for SARS-CoV-2 to ADPH. Total Tested also includes test results from persons who were tested in Alabama but do not reside in Alabama. 8/8
