Thread by @rafalkonopka, Two recent studies from CA claim a large % of the pop. [...]

Rafal Konopka

rafalkonopka

Two recent studies from CA claim a large % of the pop. has already been exposed to #COVID19. Here's why you should be skeptical.

The test they used cannot distinguish between COVID19 and other coronaviruses, such as HCOV-OC43: a strain of common cold.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7106380/pdf/main.pdf

An independent study found the test they used in the study (manufactured by Hangzhou Alltest Biotech) as least reliable of 9 #COVID19 tests.

Among other issues, it interpreted 1/3 Influenza A/B/Adenovirus samples as a positive result for COVID19

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/medrxiv/early/2020/04/10/2020.04.09.20056325.full.pdf

The UK ordered 1 million of Hangzhou's tests and 2.5M from another vendor. Testing of their reliability has ben so poor, it's prevented their use. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8190949/None-UKs-coronavirus-antibody-tests-good-use.html

'None of the UK's coronavirus antibody tests are good enough to use'

Professor Sir John Bell, from the University of Oxford, said no tests bought so far by the Government had been accurate enough to consider rolling out to the public.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8190949/None-UKs-coronavirus-antibody-tests-good-use.html

Meanwhile when the Chinese FDA certified tests in order "to strictly control quality, maintain export order, and crack down on counterfeit and shoddy products" the Hangzhou test was one of two which didn't make the cut. Further exports were banned. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/unapproved-chinese-coronavirus-antibody-tests-being-used-least-2-states-n1185131

Unapproved Chinese coronavirus tests being used in at least 2 states

Some Chinese-made COVID-19 antibody tests being used in the U.S. were not approved by China's FDA. China has now barred their export.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/unapproved-chinese-coronavirus-antibody-tests-being-used-least-2-states-n1185131

The issues are not necessarily recent. Hangzhou had to pull it's HIV test off the market in 2016 due to accuracy issues.

https://www.fdanews.com/ext/resources/files/2016/06/06-30-16-HPRASafetyNotice.pdf?1520656872

Last but not least, it's a test that has been repackaged and resold as an "at-home" test by at least one US vendor who misprepresented it's FDA approval status (or lack thereof) https://www.npr.org/2020/04/02/824437247/exclusive-california-company-under-scrutiny-for-at-home-coronavirus-test-claims

Exclusive: California Company Under Scrutiny For 'At-Home' Coronavirus Test Claims

The Wellness Matrix Group has offered customers an "at-home kit" for coronavirus testing that is "FDA Approved." But the agency has not approved any such tests, and customers say they feel scammed.

https://www.npr.org/2020/04/02/824437247/exclusive-california-company-under-scrutiny-for-at-home-coronavirus-test-claims

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