Is it a problem, globally? It would have to be. 'Cause when you think about it what would the odds be this many tests would all have been contaminated?Link
"On August 22, BioReference Laboratories reported an elevated number of positive COVID-19 PCR test results for NFL players and personnel at multiple clubs," the statement, released online, said. "The NFL immediately took necessary actions to ensure the safety of the players and personnel."
"Our investigation indicated that these were most likely false positive results, caused by an isolated contamination during test preparation in the New Jersey laboratory," it continued. "Reagents, analyzers and staff were all ruled out as possible causes and subsequent testing has indicated that the issue has been resolved. All individuals impacted have been confirmed negative and informed."
Sources told ESPN that 11 teams were affected by the results, with a total of 77 individuals coming back with positive coronavirus tests. > The NFL responded quickly, retesting the original 77 samples, which had all been processed at the same BioReference lab in New Jersey. All of the retests came back negative.
The league also conducted a second round of rapid point-of-care tests on Sunday, and all 77 of those also came back negative.
Those who've been following the Covid 19(84) pandemic are well aware that false positives are far more common then has been acknowledged. Contamination or otherwise? 77 False positives.... that's quite high.