Filenews 18 December 2021 - by Dora Christodoulou
Under observation for several days was the chemical laboratory in Paphos which allegedly conducted rapid antigen detection tests using ear cleaning cotton swabs. This was revealed by talking to the "F" responsible officer of the Ministry of Health, who confirmed that the relevant information had arrived at the ministry and the chemical laboratory in question had been placed under discreet but intensive monitoring for days.
"The information that was transmitted to us", stressed the said officer was clear, that in a specific licensed chemical laboratory in Paphos for conducting rapid tests, they were carried out using a cotton swab used for cleaning the ears and not with the special cotton swab used for the tests.
The laboratory was placed under surveillance and as a result we gathered the necessary evidence and contacted the Police reporting the incident."
The official of the Ministry of Health told us that as of yesterday the Police began investigating the case, inviting people who could help clarify the case for statements. In the meantime, from the moment of the complaint, he pointed out, the permission to carry out the tests was revoked.
According to the data so far obtained from the competent state authorities, according to our information, it is possible that criminal offences against those responsible may arise.
"This is because the usual cotton swab that one obtains from a supermarket may look like the cotton swab that must be used during the performance of the tests", explains the officer of the Ministry of Health, "with the difference, however, that the cotton in this case is impregnated with a special material that contributes to the effective diagnosis for the coronavirus".
The competent authorities seem to have this information before them for several days, but it is still the subject of investigations as to when the Pafos chemical laboratory in question made use of the usual and unsuitable cotton swab and, in particular, whether, due to the ineffectiveness of the means used to carry out the rapid antigen tests, a number of citizens did not receive the appropriate answers as to whether or not they are positive for the disease.
"These and many other questions will be raised in the coming days, during the investigation of the matter by the Police," the officer concluded.
