DHSC tells care homes to destroy batch of Covid-19 tests over safety fears – The Guardian

Care homes have been ordered to destroy a batch of faulty Covid-19 test kits after it was discovered that the swabs could break off while being used to gather samples from residents tonsils and noses.

Care home managers were told on Sunday not to use the tests because they had brittle stems at risk of snapping. The kits were manufactured by Citotest, a company based in China, and were distributed by the governments Covid-19 care home testing programme. It is tasked with providing tests for all staff and residents in care settings, not just people displaying symptoms.

The affected batch should be destroyed or kept in a safe area clearly marked with warnings not to use them, officials said, adding that the problem emerged on Saturday and they were working as quickly as possible to resolve it.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the batch could have contained tens of thousands of tests and that a complaint had been raised with the manufacturer, with whom discussions were ongoing.

We are aware of an issue with one batch of swab sticks which are being replaced where needed but this does not affect any tests, or the results of tests, previously taken, a DHSC spokesperson said. Testing is unaffected and people should still arrive for their booked tests.

But for care homes affected it means a further delay in finding out who is infected. Homes have been calling for repeat testing of staff and residents to limit an expected second peak of infections. Last week the social care minister, Helen Whately, said the government had asked the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) for guidance on the appropriate frequency of repeat testing.

Labour said the problem was a sign that the government must get a grip of testing in care homes, as they will not be emerging from lockdown any time soon.

There should now be routine testing of care home staff, yet there are still too many reports of delays in getting tests back, void results and now this issue of problems with swabs, said Liz Kendall, the shadow care minister. Ministers must ensure that testing is regular and reliable for the foreseeable future, to help keep all older and disabled people safe.

The DHSC said it had not received any reports of people being hurt by the tests and described the recall as a precautionary measure. It said Public Health England would provide support should care homes fall short of test kits and that some care homes had already begun receiving replacement kits. More were due to receive kits in the next 24 hours.

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DHSC tells care homes to destroy batch of Covid-19 tests over safety fears - The Guardian