PCR Testing (cont’d)

Coronavirus Testing Suspended at Boston Lab After Many False Positive Results

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has suspended testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus at Boston based laboratory on Aug. 8, 2020 after the laboratory reported almost 400 false positive tests.

Orig3n Laboratory, a genetics and biotechnology company was suspended after state health officials became aware of an unusually high number of positive SARS-CoV-2 tests reported by the laboratory. An investigation found that there were at least 383 inaccurate positive results that were retested and came back as negative.2 Orig3n Laboratory has approximately sixty nursing homes as their customers.

On Aug. 27, 2020, the MDPH said it notified Orig3n Laboratory that they had been cited with “three significant certification deficiencies that put patients at immediate risk of harm.”4 MDPH found that the laboratory director failed to provide appropriate management of the required processes. The laboratory did not include a control material in the extraction phase of testing and did not adhere to requirements like documenting sanitization of its equipment.

A MDPH spokesperson said, “The Boston lab is required to respond with a written plan of correction, and if action is not taken it can face sanctions,

• Nursing Home Negatively Impacted By False Positive Test Results
• Laboratory Blames Human Error For Inaccuracies
• 77 False Positive Tests Among NFL Players

Dr. Cohen said…

On August 22, BioReference Laboratories reported an elevated number of positive [SARS-CoV-2] PCR test results for NFL players and personnel at multiple clubs. The NFL immediately took necessary actions to ensure the safety of the players and personnel. Our investigation indicated that these were most likely false positive results, caused by an isolated contamination during test preparation in the New Jersey laboratory. Reagents, analyzers and staff were all ruled out as possible causes and subsequent testing has indicated that the issue has been resolved. All individuals impacted have been confirmed negative and informed.

Source:  thevaccinereaction