Yesterday SydPath confirmed that more than 400 people were incorrectly advised they had tested negative to COVID when in fact they had tested positive.

As soon as SydPath became aware of the issue it immediately commenced a process to contact those impacted.

This morning SydPath can confirm that all people within this group have been contacted and advised of their positive result.

The emergency response team investigating the cause of this error, has now identified approximately 995 more people, tested on 23 and 24 December, were prematurely sent an SMS advising them their test was negative when in fact their true result had not yet been determined.

All of these people have been contacted and advised of the error. They have been advised they will receive their accurate test results by tonight (Monday).

Once again, we are sincerely sorry for this error and acknowledge the significant impact it has had on those involved.

We have identified what occurred and can confirm it was related to a specific human error.

SydPath have put procedures in place to ensure this cannot happen again.

This event comes at a time of unprecedented COVID-testing activity and SydPath’s people, as with all pathology teams throughout NSW, are working around the clock to respond.”