Over 30 Durham residents received false positive coronavirus test results
Durham Region Health Department has received information regarding 34 people who were given positive COVID-19 test results that were negative.
According to a statement by the health department, an error was made at the laboratory at SickKids Hospital were coronavirus tests we completed for Durham Region residents.
“The Health Department was advised that the results were entered incorrectly as positive when they were in fact negative, impacting the results for 34 individuals. This error impacted cases reported at two Durham District School Board schools, a local child care centre, and the balance of the cases were from the community,” said the department.
The government of Ontario reported a total of 18 new coronavirus cases in schools across the region and four confirmed cases in child care centres and homes.
The reported cases have also affected the case numbers for September 21 which is posted on the Durham Region Data Tracker.
“Health Department staff have worked tirelessly for many months managing the positive cases of COVID-19 and their contacts within the community. Staff is very skilled in this risk assessment work and provide expert guidance to schools and child care centres in line with current Ontario Ministry of Health guidance,” said the health department.
“We have received information regarding how this error occurred and the corrective steps that will be taken to rectify this situation. The SickKids laboratory has indicated that this error was identified as a result of a reporting mechanism whereby the positive result was selected in error.”
All the affected tests came from those completed at the Lakeridge Health COVID-19 Assessment Centres.
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