Dynacare blames 'faulty tubes' for some cancelled PCR test results

ManyManitobans who waited in line for PCRCOVID-19tests were disappointed to find out their results had been "cancelled" when they went online to retrieve them.

On Thursday, Central Services Minister Reg Helwersaid "the test is not cancelled. It's just moved to another lab for processing," calling itit an "unfortunate use of wording."

• 'Cancelled' COVID-19 test results just 'unfortunate use of wording,' Manitoba official says

However, CBCNews has learned some tests were not cancelled due to being moved to another lab, they were spoiled due to leaky tubes.

The province has been struggling to keep up with demand for testing as Omicron cases spike.As of Wednesday, Manitoba still had a backlog of 10,700 specimens according toDr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer.

Dynacare, one of two private labs processing PCR tests, initially repeated the minister's message when asked about cancelled tests.

But when asked directly about the leaky tubes,Dynacare issued the following statement:

"We are currently in the process of recollecting and retesting all samples which were affected by leaking tubes," said Janine Reed, spokesperson for Dynacare.

Reed did not specify the number of tests that are being redone.

Helwerdeclined to comment on the leaky tubes that resulted in cancelled results.

An unnamed spokesperson from the Department of Health provided additional explanation about some of the samples marked cancelled:

"The term 'cancelled'is an internal reassignment code that is showing on some records due to a systems error. All test specimens with this cancelled code are being processed. The province will also be looking into recent claims about leaking tubes as we become advised of them from our partners."

TheHealth Department did not explain what happens to people with cancelled results due to leaky tubes.

When checking results on the Shared Health site the "important must read section" directs the patientto return to the testing site for retesting or to contact Health Links for further advice.

Both of these services have been overwhelmed with long lineups and wait times in recent days.