The NFL is in the spotlight for reports regarding false positive COVID19 lab tests. 77 individuals had positive tests. All of the original test results have been classified as false positives.
Eleven teams were affected by the mistake, according to ESPN.
The NFL said in a statement:
Saturday's daily COVID testing returned several positives tests from each of the clubs serviced by the same laboratory in New Jersey.
We are working with our testing partner, BioReference, to investigate these results, while the clubs work to confirm or rule out the positive tests.
Clubs are taking immediate precautionary measures as outlined in the NFL-NFLPA's health and safety protocols to include contact tracing, isolation of individuals and temporarily adjusting the schedule, where appropriate.
The other laboratories used for NFL testing have not had similar results.
UPDATE 8/24 1:35 PST
The National Football League today announced the COVID-19 monitoring testing results for August 12 – August 20.
During this period, players and Tier 1 and 2 personnel were tested daily. Tier 3 individuals were tested weekly. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 follow the joint NFL-NFLPA Treatment Protocol. They are immediately isolated, not permitted to travel with the team, access club facilities, or have direct contact with players or personnel. Club medical staff are in regular communication with individuals who test positive to monitor symptoms.
Monitoring Testing results for August 12 – August 20:
- 58,397 tests were administered to 8,573 players and personnel.
- 23,260 tests were administered to players; 35,137 tests were administered to personnel.
- There were zero positive tests among players and six new confirmed positives among other personnel.
