How often does a COVID-19 swab test go wrong?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-04-30 01:00

International

The risk of a nasal and throat swab COVID-19 test going wrong is extremely low but complications can be severe, according to Finnish research. Records show of the 643,284 people tested for COVID-19 in a Helsinki hospital catchment area, eight ended up in the emergency department. Four needed a broken swab removed, while the other four presented with nose bleeds that required serious medical attention and were potentially life-threatening in two cases. Researchers found the frequency of these complications was "extremely low" and appeared to be caused by incorrect testing technique.

Media release

From: JAMA

What The Study Did: This case series investigates the frequency and type of SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal test complications in Helsinki, Finland.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Helsinki, Finland

Funder: No funding declared.

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