133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
Virginia Crawford
By email:
[FYI request #14341 email]
Ref:
H202009431
Dear Virginia Crawford
Response to your request for official information Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) on 11 December
2020 for:
“I understand that the cycle threshold referred to in FYI
https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&d=mLDe39D1gIizcrOjA__T_T9odgk9_ppViW
JbuOyU6w&u=https%3a%2f%2ffyi%2eorg%2enz%2frequest%2f14173-amplification-
factor-being-used-when-determining-test-results-for-the-covid-19-test-kits
is 40. Can you confirm that this value (40) is used in processing ALL tests done in New
Zealand?
Could you explain why such a high value is being used?”
I can confirm that PCR assays for all COVID-19 tests run for 40 cycles in IANZ accredited New
Zealand laboratories. This is stipulated by the manufacturer instructions who have performed
extensive validation and verification of their assays.
I trust this information fulfils your request. Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to
ask the Ombudsman to review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may
be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry of Health website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-
releases/responses-official-information-act-requests. Yours sincerely
Dr Kelvin Watson
Group Manager COVID-19 Immunisation, Testing and Supply
COVID-19 Health System Response Directorate
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