Almost 500 more cases confirmed after St Vincent’s testing blunder
A hospital has revealed why hundreds more Covid-19 positive people received the wrong test results after another major error.
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It can now be revealed what caused a Sydney pathology lab to send hundreds of people incorrect Covid-negative test results, which the NSW Premier has called “unacceptable”.
SydPath – operated by St Vincent’s Hospital – confirmed it had sent negative results to 950 additional people when “about half”of them actually had the virus.
The pathology service revealed on Monday afternoon that the group of people, tested on December 22, 23 and 24, were prematurely sent an SMS advising them their test was negative when their true result had not yet been determined.
It comes after 400 people were told on Sunday that they had tested negative when they had tested positive to the virus.
In a further statement on Tuesday, SydPath said the bungle was caused by a “simple data processing error” after the system moved from an automated to a manual system.
“In order to contend with the major increase in volume of tests SydPath had recently moved from an automated system to a manual system to expedite the release of negative test results,” the statement said.
“Unfortunately, during this manual process a simple data processing error was made which led to the wrong test results being released.
“We have reverted to our automated systems to ensure this type of error cannot happen again.”
SydPath also confirmed “as of last night, all of these people received their accurate test results, 486 of whom were confirmed as being Covid positive”, which amounts to more than half.
It added the number of Covid tests it processed would be reduced.
“This event has come at a time of unprecedented Covid-testing activity,” SydPath said.
“In order to maintain the quality of our testing, we are reducing the number of Covid tests we process to ensure the volume remains within our capacity.
“A sizeable proportion of SydPath’s recent testing has involved those requiring a test for travel purposes. Due to overwhelming demand we advise that we must prioritise testing for those who need it most.”
In a press conference at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital on Tuesday, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet called the mix-up “unacceptable” and said it couldn’t happen again.
“What’s important is mistakes like that from the pathologists don’t occur again,” he said.
“What the good news is, is that it was picked up.
“And those people who were given the incorrect information have now been informed.
“And I know that NSW Health have been in contact and made it very clear that errors like that are unacceptable.
“And it is my understanding that there are measures in place to ensure that doesn’t happen again.”
He added that NSW was receiving 150,000 PCR tests per day and pathology teams were doing “everything they can”.
In a previous statement, SydPath blamed high testing volumes for the “human error”, which is linked to the testing bungle that necessitated the Boxing Day apology.
“Once again, we are sincerely sorry for this error and acknowledge the significant impact it has had on those involved,” SydPath said in a statement.
“We have identified what occurred and can confirm it was related to a specific human error.”
NSW recorded its first Omicron-related death on Monday as the state recorded 6324 new cases.
The man in his 80s from western Sydney died at Westmead Hospital.
“The man was a resident of the Uniting Lilian Wells aged care facility in North Parramatta, where he acquired his infection,” health authorities said.
“He had received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine and had underlying health conditions. This is the first known death in NSW linked to the Omicron variant of concern.”
NSW reported 6062 new Covid-19 cases and one new death on Tuesday.
The number of Covid patients in intensive care in NSW has risen from 39 to 60 in the past week.
There were 93,581 coronavirus tests conducted in the 24 hours to 8pm on Monday as demand continues to overwhelm testing capacity across the state.
It comes as new restrictions come into force for the holiday season as the state battles to contain its mammoth coronavirus case surge.
Masks are now compulsory in all indoor, non-residential settings, including for hospitality staff and in offices, unless eating or drinking.
Venues and patrons must also now follow the one person per 2sq m rule indoors at pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes.
However, the rule will not apply in outdoor spaces such as beer gardens.
QR code check-ins at retail and hospitality are also making a return in a bid to stop the spread.
The process was initially scrapped after the state hit 90 per cent fully vaccinated.
All rules will remain in place until January 27.
Sydney’s Omicron surge has pushed the state’s testing capacity to the brink as thousands wait for hours to be swabbed for the virus.
Return times for results have also stretched out to between 48 and 72 hours.
Originally published as Almost 500 more cases confirmed after St Vincent’s testing blunder
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