Washington State

State recalls 12,000 coronavirus test kits due to possible contamination

komonews.com/news/coronavirus/state-recalls-12000-coronavirus-test-kits-due-to-possible-contamination

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - The state Department of Health has recalled 12,000 COVID-19 test kits that were distributed widely across Washington state due to possible contamination.

The recall order was issued Saturday night after health officials were alerted by UW Medicine to discontinue use of a recently procured batch of specimen collection kits that UW Medicine believed may have a quality control issue.

About 12,000 of the affected kits had already been sent to local health jurisdictions, tribal nations, and state agency partners across the state.

“Though the quality control issue has only been observed in a small number of tubes of viral transport media, we adhere to the highest quality standards for COVID-19 testing in Washington state,” said Secretary of Health John Wiesman.

“We are working with our partners to have them discard the product and will work to replace them as quickly as we can," he added.