A man inquires about a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test at a mobile testing van in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., June 2, 2021.
Brendan McDermid | Reuters
Quidel is recalling its Lyra Covid-19 Assay test due to a high risk of false negative results in patients who actually have high amounts of the virus.
Quidel is a company that produces diagnostic health-care products around the world. The Covid test was given emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration in March. It uses a swab sample from the nasal area to detect RNA that is specific to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
“False negative results may lead to delayed diagnosis or inappropriate treatment of SARS-CoV-2 that may cause patient harm, serious illness, and death,” the FDA wrote on its website announcing the recall.
False negative results could also lead to further spread of the virus in a community and may put other high-risk individuals at risk of injury or death.
Quidel has received five complaints about the product, but there are currently no reports of injury or death from its use. The company’s shares slumped by about 5% in after-hours trading.
