Reports: New Jersey lab linked to 77 false positive coronavirus tests among 11 NFL teams
A major issue with a New Jersey lab processing coronavirus test results for the NFL was revealed on Sunday after retesting was done on the previously reported 77 positive results. It now appears that all were false positives after each of the 77 people were retested and received a negative result, according to multiple reports.
A total of 77 tests from 11 NFL teams processed by the same New Jersey lab came back positive from Saturday's COVID-19 testing, per league source.
All 77 individuals underwent an additional point of care test -- and all tested negative.— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 24, 2020
Under NFL-NFLPA protocol, the original tests are also being retested -- and all the results of those have been negative as well, per source.
Further evidence of a lab issue that caused what now appears to be 77 false positives.— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 24, 2020
Earlier Sunday, several NFL teams said they would alter or cancel workouts Sunday after the positive tests were reported. The league said it was investigating the results after the high number resulted from one processing lab.
The NFL said it would take “immediate precautionary measures as outlined in the NFL and NFLPA’s health and safety protocols.”
NFL coronavirus numbers were getting smaller
It still appears that NFL coronavirus numbers were getting smaller. On Saturday, four players were listed on the COVID-19 list.
As of yesterday there were only 4 players league-wide on the COVID-19 list. Some around the league were bracing for a potential small spike in cases once kids went back to school, but this is being framed initially as a lab issue.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) August 23, 2020
Teams affected by the false positive tests
The Chicago Bears, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers each reported a large number of positive results from testing done by the New Jersey lab in question.
The #Bears say they learned yesterday’s Covid-19 testing identified nine players/staff as positive. "We followed additional NFL-NFLPA testing protocol and confirmed all 9 results as false positives.” To be cautious, CHI postponed the morning practice to this afternoon at 1:30pm.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 23, 2020
Jets had 10 false-positive COVID tests this weekend.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 23, 2020
So after the Bears had nine false positive tests this weekend, and the Jets 10, the Vikings now have 12 presumptive positive tests from the same New Jersey lab that produced the other testing results.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 23, 2020
The #Steelers will not officially say that these were false positive tests, but the team did confirm that they use the same lab that turned up the irregularities w/ multiple other teams. pic.twitter.com/FqFw55pMKx
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) August 23, 2020
The Cleveland Browns did not reveal how many members of the organization were affected by the issue, but reopened their facilities once the lab issue was revealed.
Update: We are reopening our building and will resume football activities this afternoon.
Statement » https://t.co/QOClnceJD3 pic.twitter.com/LOrvQ5cjqv— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 23, 2020
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