Birmingham students given already used Covid-19 tests

14 October 2020, 11:40 | Updated: 7 June 2023, 08:56

Around 25 already used coronavirus test kits have been handed out in Birmingham
Around 25 already used coronavirus test kits have been handed out in Birmingham. Picture: PA

By Kate Buck

Around 25 used coronavirus test kits have been handed out in Birmingham, the city council has admitted.

Students in Selly Oak found the used swab kits when they opened the boxes which should have contained unused kits.

Seven households were given the completed kits as part of the council’s 'drop and collect' service on Tuesday.

Birmingham City Council have admitted to the mistake, but said there was "no evidence of cross-contamination" and a "root and branch review" would be undertaken to look into what had happened.

The council said the outer packaging of one kit was opened.

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The alarm was raised when a student wrote on a community Facebook page: "Anyone on [Tiverton Road] given a covid test by guys in high-vis jackets, don’t open!

"They’ve already been done – we opened up the box and they were sealed and snapped so had obviously been used!"

Sophie Dunne, a second year student at the University of Birmingham, told university newspaper Redbrick they were told not to put what had happened on social media.

Birmingham Council said in a statement: “We are aware that a small number of tests were mistakenly given out during Drop and Collect activity in Selly Oak yesterday (13th Oct).

"As soon as it became apparent that the wrong tests had been given out steps were taken immediately to rectify the mistake.

"Drop and Collect is a vital part of helping to tackle the spread of Covid in our City, with 100,000 tests being undertaken to date. The circumstances around this incident are being fully reviewed and any required changes to process will be implemented.”

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