Bangladesh is facing a new challenge due to a number of positive Covid-19 test reports being found to be false after the samples were retested.
On April 20, Narsingdi district administration received the results of seven executive magistrates who tested positive for Covid-19. Then the district administration recollected their samples within 24 hours for retesting, and the results came negative.
One of the UNOs under the district told Dhaka Tribune that: “It is unbelievable that all of the results tested negative from positive. It means the labs did not ensure quality testing.
“We have sent five more samples for retesting to the IEDCR,” the UNO added, wishing to be anonymous.
“Misleading results interrupted the emergency work which is being done by the district administration,” UNO said.
It is essential to know the accurate result of an official who is on emergency duty.
They work to ensure social distancing; controlling commodity prices, and execute law and order mostly in public places, a Superintendent of Police (SP) working in Dhaka Division said.
He referred that: “A total of 26 policemen tested Covid-19 positive in Gazipur Metropolitan Police. Then, a day after, six samples were sent for retest as they had no symptoms and all results came negative.”
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) have been asked to ensure the quality of Covid-19 detection test, from different quarters of the government.
Experts said false results can increase the risk of the fight against the coronavirus.
If a coronavirus positive person is tested negative, he/she may expose a threat to people in the community.
The situation will become dangerous, if such blunder happens with a medical professional, member of law enforcement agencies or a service provider who is continuously working amid the pandemic.
But unfortunately, false tests results are rising in Bangladesh after the government increased the number of test laboratories.
Currently, a total number of 21 laboratories are conducting tests for suspected coronavirus cases across the country. Of them, 10 are in Dhaka and 11 are in different parts of the country.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus tests in Bangladesh a total number of 39,786 samples were tested until April 24, while 4,689 people tested positive.
Currently, above 3,500 samples are tested every 24 hours, however, it was below 150 in March.
“We have already been informed regarding errors in the coronavirus tests and are taking steps to overcome the situation,” Professor Nasima Sultana, additional director general (ADG) at DGHS, said.
However, Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora, director of IEDCR, said: “Results of coronavirus tests differ due to many reasons. But the number of false cases are not high at all in Bangladesh.”
Doctors face problems due to false results
In the last week, a total number of 43 medical professionals including 23 physicians tested positive at Sir Salimullah Medical College and Hospital commonly known as Mitford Hospital but later in the retest all the physicians tested negative.
Same examples were found in cases of some physicians at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.
Why are coronavirus tests inaccurate?
Prof Kamrul Hassan Khan, former vice chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), said: “We are getting huge complaints of inaccurate test results.
“There are many reasons behind error in test results of Covid-19. Proper way of sample collection is most important for maintaining accuracy of the test.
“Preserving method of samples is another key issue. Laboratory instruments including quality of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine, expertise of pathologist, and environment of the lab where the tests are conducted are also important,” he added.
“Samples collected from the throat will give more accurate results rather than mouth or nose,” he continued.
However, he mentioned that if a case result tests positive that is mostly correct if it was conducted using a PCR machine.
What is the solution?
The DGHS ADG said: “As we know the causes for the error, we have taken initiatives to minimize it. We have already checked the instruments of labs including PCR and its operation as well as enhancing the capacity of lab technicians.”
Dr Kamrul, also a professor of the Pathology department, said: “When two labs provide different results, a third lab is required to conduct another test.
“We have already recommended that the National Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Referral Centre will only recheck the samples for ensuring the quality and remove confusion in important cases.”
However, Dr Meerjady told this correspondent: “We have ensured quality by retesting some samples from different laboratories across the country since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak.
“Once a lab starts testing, we do a retest of maximum samples. Retesting is gradually reduced, once the lab becomes stable,” she added.
