DOVER, Del.- Twelve people who were initially told they were negative for COVID-19 after being tested in Sussex County actually tested positive for the coronavirus.
The mistake came as Delaware, through its partnership with pharmacy chain Walgreens, collected 2,971 samples at drive-thru testing sites set up across the state. The 12 samples in question were collected across the state, according to Delaware's Division of Public Health.
"In the process of results delivery, 12 persons who tested positive for COVID-19 were inadvertently given negative results by phone due to an internal DPH system error, however all correct lab reports were reported into our surveillance system and appropriately included in statewide testing numbers and the contact tracing system," said DPH spokeswoman Jen Brestel.
Since the mistake was realized DPH has reached out to everyone whose test results were incorrect and all results collected through Walgreens collection sites were re-reviewed, according to Brestel.
"No patients who tested negative were given incorrect results. The problem was identified and internal system improvements have eliminated the possibility of this recurring. Additionally, DPH continues to work with its vendor to establish automated results delivery," she said.
DPH said the problem did not originate at the Walgreens testing site.
Katey Evans, a Bridgeville business owner, said on Thursday in a Facebook Live video that her husband Kevin was among the 12 people who received the false negative results. He has been hospitalized after becoming seriously ill following false report of a negative test, according to Evans.
"Somebody has got to be held responsible for this," she said in the clip.
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Kevin was getting stronger and keeping a positive attitude, Katey Evans said in Facebook post on Friday.
"They've been testing for every possible infection under the sun and keeping him closely monitored---glad they are on top of all of this. Oxygen levels excellent and he's sitting upright and continues moving around when he can," she said.
This is a developing story. Check back for more details as they become available.
