In Sydney, 1,400 people got a negative test result at Christmas – and a day later the news that they were infected. After this mistake, there is a risk of a rapid increase in the number of cases.
Before the Christmas holidays, many people had themselves tested for the coronavirus in order to minimize the risk of infection when gathering with family and especially with older relatives. Scientists and doctors expressly recommend this. Hundreds of people in Australia who got tested in a hospital near Sydney, however, did not help – they were given the wrong results.
In total, nearly 1,400 people who tested positive were given negative tests at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Darlington, a suburb of Sydney. These were PCR tests that were carried out just before Christmas – in many cases extra to make a visit to the family safer. Those affected got their negative results on December 24th and 25th, respectively. On Boxing Day, the news followed that, in reality, they were unfortunately positive and should isolate themselves.
Hospital cites “human error” as the reason
But by then it should have been too late. The authorities expect a sharp increase in the number of cases in the region in the next few days – especially since the new, extremely contagious Omikron variant is spreading rapidly in the state of New South Wales. Health Minister Brad Hazzard has already forecast that every Australian is likely to be infected with the variant. The good news: According to government sources, 95 percent of the state’s population over the age of 16 has been vaccinated against Covid-19.
A hospital spokesman apologized for the mistake on behalf of the clinic, citing “a human error” in the laboratory as the reason. All persons concerned were informed immediately. At the same time, those responsible pointed out the high number of tests and the great strain on the staff in the laboratories. At a drive-in station operated by the hospital, there were queues with a waiting time of up to three hours before Christmas.
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Source From: Stern
