PHILADELPHIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH RECALLS FAULTY COVID-19 TESTS
Philadelphia, PA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health issued a recall on Saturday for certain at-home COVID-19 tests after discovering that they were not authentic. Officials are urging city residents who received the Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home Tests to check the lot number on the box.
Residents who have tests with the lot number “COV2110012” are advised to immediately dispose of them and obtain replacements. The Department of Public Health has set up five resource hubs across the city where people can collect new tests.
The recall was prompted by a routine check conducted by the Department of Public Health, during which staff members noticed an unknown lot number on the Flowflex tests. Further investigation revealed that this lot number was not listed on the FDA’s shelf-life extension website, confirming that the tests were not authentic.
Upon discovering the issue, the faulty tests were promptly removed from distribution. However, authorities estimate that approximately 105,000 invalid test kits had already been identified, with about 4,000 of them distributed through the Department of Public Health.
Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole emphasized the importance of having at-home testing kits on hand during the fall and winter COVID season. She stated, “It’s important to have faith in those tests, so we want to make sure that every test out there is valid and correct.”
To ensure the validity of all COVID-19 tests in stock, the Department of Public Health is now conducting a full inventory check. Additionally, procedures are being developed to confirm lot numbers and expiration dates in order to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Officials are working diligently to notify individuals who may have received the faulty tests and are advising everyone to remain vigilant. Regular updates regarding the recall and replacement process will be provided by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.
Residents of Philadelphia are urged to follow the instructions provided by the Department of Public Health and visit the designated resource hubs to obtain valid COVID-19 test kits. Ensuring the accuracy and effectiveness of testing is crucial in controlling the spread of the virus and protecting public health.