Redistribution of Test Kits Used by Confirmed Cases at Screening Clinics... Alarm Over Test Devices Showing 'Two Lines'

A (38), a resident of Michuhol-gu, Incheon, sees two red lines on the self-test kit result from a nearby temporary screening clinic. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] There is controversy over the distribution of discarded self-test kits that had already been used and showed positive COVID-19 results at a screening clinic in Incheon.

According to Yonhap News on the 18th, Mr. A (38), who resides in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, received a self-test kit at a nearby temporary screening clinic on the 15th to check whether his first child was infected with COVID-19 and stored it in his vehicle.

Two days later, when Mr. A tried to use the kit, he was shocked to find signs that someone had already used it. The swab and reagent were in a sealed pouch that had been opened, and the test device clearly showed two lines. This indicates that the previous user of the test device had tested positive for COVID-19.

Mr. A immediately called the screening clinic and complained, saying, "The kit I received had already been used, and the test device even showed two lines." The screening clinic admitted the mistake, explaining that they had confused the used kit with a new one and provided it by error.

In a phone interview with Yonhap News, Mr. A said, "I think it is a serious problem to give out a kit that had already been used, especially one that showed a positive result," and added, "I don't know what they intended to do if my child and I got infected because of this kit."

Regarding this matter, a city official stated, "Kits that show positive results are supposed to be collected separately and discarded," and added, "It appears that due to a large number of people visiting the screening clinic, a mistake was made in distributing kits that should have been discarded. We will conduct an on-site investigation to address the issues."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.