A testing clinic in Sydney had told over 400 people that their COVID tests came back negative. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case.
As a result, hundreds have had their Christmas break thrown into turmoil as they unexpectedly needed to isolate.
The affected tests were those taken on the 22nd and 23rd of December and were notified at 8pm on Christmas day. SydPath became aware of the error on the morning of the 26th.
St. Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst put out this statement:
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“SydPath last night incorrectly messaged more than 400 people, advising them they had tested negative to COVID. These people had tested positive to COVID”
“As soon as we became aware of the issue this morning, SydPath immediately commenced a process to contact impacted people”
“An emergency response team is now investigating the cause of the mistake, which is believed to be a human error”
“We sincerely apologise to all those impacted”
Breaking: St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney launches emergency response after telling 400 people they tested negative for COVID when they are actually POSITIVE.⚠️ pic.twitter.com/0X1xmzj015
— Josh Bavas (@JoshBavas) December 26, 2021
In response, SydPath medical director Professor Anthony Dodds blamed the “very large volume of tests”.
A 34-year-old man who spoke to the ABC was one of the people who received the incorrect message, despite feeling unwell.
“The PCR test must be wrong” the man told his doctor. He went to hospital where he took a rapid antigen test, tested positive and was immediately placed in the COVID ward.
In order to combat these errors, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is encouraging people to use rapid antigen tests instead, unless they are explicitly required to get a PCR test.
“I know there are long queues right across our state, so if you do not feel unwell there is no need to receive a PCR test. You are taking a spot in a queue from somebody who needs a test” said the Premier.
On the 26th, Health Minister Brad Hazzard suggested that “we would expect that pretty well everybody in NSW at some point will get Omicron”.
Today the state has recorded 6,324 new cases. New restrictions are being put in place to help combat the latest wave of infections.
The restrictions include QR codes, density limits and mask wearing indoors.
