An estimated 12,000 COVID-19 testing kits have been recalled due to possible contamination in Washington.
The state's Department of Health said in a recent update, per CNN, that it had been notified by the University of Washington Medicine of a possible "quality control issue" in connection with a "small number" of vials of viral transport media (VTM) fluid that appeared to boast a color considered unusual.
Regional health leaders confirmed the "quality control issue" had only been spotted in a small number of the tubes, noting that there is no believed health risk to patients nor did the issues affect testing results.
"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," Secretary of Health John Wiesman said, according toKIRO-TV. "We are working with our partners to have them discard the product and will work to replace them as quickly as we can."
For now, state jurisdictions that received the kits in question have been advised to contact the health department about getting new shipments of swabs and transport tubes. Officials acknowledge, meanwhile, that current supplies "aren't adequate" enough at the moment to make immediate replacements. However, a new shipment of swabs from a different vendor is expected to arrive this week.
For the latest information on COVID-19 case numbers in the States, please continue to consult the CDC's site for regular updates while practicing social distancing at home.
