Coronavirus test result errors may be a large problem

A doctor noticed the problem on Friday after seeing that the health insurance lab noted his patient as testing positive for the virus, while the health ministry noted the result as negative.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
TEST TUBE with coronavirus label is seen at the end of January. (photo credit: REUTERS)
TEST TUBE with coronavirus label is seen at the end of January.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The Health Ministry may have botched several coronavirus test results. According to a Ynet report, the ministry told health insurance providers on Friday to stop releasing coronavirus test results, as they may be incorrect.
Some in the ministry expressed concern that the issue of false results is widespread and not merely anecdotal. If this is true, it could mean that some who were treated for coronavirus but did not have the disease, while others with the disease have gone untreated and may have exposed even more people.
Currently, health insurance provider labs run tests and the results are sent to the Health Ministry, which disseminates the information to relevant parties, according to Ynet.
The ministry reported on Saturday that the errors were only found in eight samples from two specific labs out of thousands of tests, but nevertheless they decided to stop releasing the results until the issue is settled.
A doctor noticed the problem on Friday after seeing that the health insurance lab noted his patient as testing positive for the virus, while the health ministry noted the result as negative, according to Ynet.
As of Saturday afternoon, the Health Ministry reported that 3,460 Israelis were infected with the virus, with 50 of them in serious condition.