Millions of COVID-19 home testing kits recalled in USA

Millions of COVID-19 home testing kits recalled in USA.
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Written by Harry Johnson

Some 2,212,335 kits produced by the Australian-based biotech company Ellume and distributed in the US potentially show false positive SARS-CoV-2 test results.

  • US Federal Food and Drug Administration issues an urgent recall of faulty COVID-19 home testing kits.
  • Recalled home testing kits show ‘higher-than-acceptable’ false positive COVID-19 results.
  • The test which detects coronavirus proteins, was authorized for emergency use by the FDA last year.

A ‘Class I recall’ for millions of popular rapid COVID-19 home testing kits has been issued by the US Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to FDA, ‘the most serious type of recall’ was issued due to 2,212,335 COVID-19 test kits produced by the Australian-based biotech firm Ellume, and distributed in the US, show ‘higher-than-acceptable’ false positive SARS-CoV-2 test results.

The US federal regulator warned that the use of faulty kits “may cause serious adverse health consequences or death.” 

The antigen test, which detects coronavirus proteins, was authorized for emergency use by the FDA last year. It is available without a prescription for both adults and children aged two and older, and uses swab samples taken from a nose to detect if one has COVID-19.

Some “specific lots,” manufactured between February and August this year, are now being recalled in the US, with the company saying it has worked with the authorities to voluntarily remove the affected tests from the market.

The company has offered its apologies “for any stress or difficulties [customers] may have experienced because of a false positive result.” 

The ‘higher-than-acceptable’ false results, showing that a person has coronavirus when in reality they do not, have been reported to the FDA in at least 35 cases. No false negative results have been detected.

However, the inaccurate diagnostic could have life-threatening consequences. A person might receive wrong or unnecessary treatment, including with antiviral and antibody therapy, and suffer additional trauma over having to isolate from family members and friends.

It might also lead to people disregarding precautions, including getting vaccinated against COVID-19, the FDA has said.

About the author

Avatar of Harry Johnson

Harry Johnson

Harry Johnson has been the assignment editor for eTurboNews for mroe than 20 years. He lives in Honolulu, Hawaii, and is originally from Europe. He enjoys writing and covering the news.

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