31 people given incorrect COVID-19 test results due to error at Hamilton lab

Hamilton Health Sciences says 16 people who were given a negative COVID-19 test result actually tested positive for the virus.

They are part of a group of 31 people who were given incorrect COVID-19 results because of a processing error at the Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program.

The tests were collected in Hamilton, Burlington and the surrounding area on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31.

15 people who were COVID-19 negative initially received a positive test result.

“We sincerely apologize for the impact on those who have received incorrect test results,” said Dr. Marek Smieja, Interim Chief of HRLMP.

HHS says action was taken to correct the error and all the people who were impacted have been notified. Hamilton Public Health is conducting contact tracing as needed.