COVID-19 Information Center

There’s a lot of information on COVID-19 out there. Our scientists are here to help break down some of the facts.

Information curated by 23andMe scientists:

How severe was COVID-19 among 23andMe's research participants?

This data was collected before COVID-19 vaccines were available and is not relevant for people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
1 million+
study participants
~10,000 tested positive
for COVID-19
~750 hospitalized with
COVID-19

Compare hospitalization rates among those participants

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Among research participants with
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Frequently Asked Questions

23andMe uses your saliva sample to analyze your DNA. We can't test those samples for SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, because the SARS-CoV-2 genome is made of RNA, not DNA. Viral RNA is more delicate than DNA and would break down before the sample reaches our labs.

23andMe services aren't intended to diagnose any disease or condition, or be used to make any medical decisions. If you're concerned about exposure to the coronavirus, talk to a healthcare professional, who can guide you toward appropriate resources.

Our third party laboratory, LabCorp, is required to handle, process, and dispose of any biological samples in compliance with federal regulatory requirements as well as industry standards.

23andMe utilizes a CLIA-certified lab to genotype customers' DNA samples. These certified labs treat biosafety as their number one priority at all times, and have specific protocols and processes in place to handle biologic samples safely.

Specimens are handled with personal protective equipment, and hygienic processes for entering and leaving the laboratory spaces are strictly followed. These measures are in place to ensure the highest degree of safety to both the lab personnel and those outside the lab.

We're committed to supporting and serving our customers and protecting our employees. If you have any concerns or questions please contact Customer Care.

With the exception of shipping to and from areas that are subject to certain restrictions, 23andMe has not experienced any delays in shipping kits to customers, or processing of samples. If 23andMe starts to experience delays with processing, impacted customers will be notified.

Samples are processed in the order they are received and results are typically available within 2-3 weeks from the date your sample is received at the lab. You will receive an email notification once our laboratory receives your sample.

References

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