State Auditor Rob Sand criticizes the reporting of Test Iowa COVID-19 test results

State Auditor Rob Sand on Tuesday released a report on COVID-19 test reporting involving the Test Iowa program, calling on results to be sent directly to the Iowa Department of Public Health, as required by state code.

The report says the State Hygienic Laboratory sends Test Iowa results exclusively to a private entity, which then sends the results to another private company, then to another state entity before they are finally sent to the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Sand says, "The reporting chain for Test Iowa is contrary to law, takes apparently pointless risks and increases taxpayer risk of legal liabilities."  He also says the current system "is wasteful and risky when compared to immediate reporting (to IDPH)."

The statement concludes, "Due to the ongoing and high-risk nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, this change should be made immediately in order to eliminate apparently pointless risks, potential legal liability and improve the state's response to the pandemic."