Washington state has recalled 12,000 test kits of the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) due to possible contamination, the state's Department of Health announced (DOH) last Sunday. 

The department was alerted by the University of Washington Medicine (UW Medicine) on April 17 to stop using a recently-procured batch of COVID-19 specimen collection kits which the university believed may have a "quality control issue." 

DOH explained in a news release that some of the vials of viral transport media (VTM) – the fluid that preserves a specimen during transport – were an unusual color, which led UW Medicine to reach out to the health department to investigate potential contamination. 

"Though the quality control issue has only been observed in a small number of tubes of viral transport media, we adhere to the highest quality standards for COVID-19 testing in Washington state," said Secretary of Health John Wiesman.

Since the VTM doesn't come in contact with patients in COVID-19 testing, there is no health risk for patients, according to DOH officials. 

DOH said Washington state is working closely with both the UW Medicine and local health partners to replace the recalled specimen collection kits as quickly as possible.

Read more: COVID-19 tests delayed by contamination at U.S. CDC lab: report 

(Cover image via VCG)