Customs intercepts bogus coronavirus testing kits at LA airport
Customs agents working at Los Angeles International Airport have intercepted what turned out to be counterfeit COVD-19 testing kits.
The package, which arrived in the airport’s mail room on Thursday contained six plastic bags that had various vials inside filled with a white liquid. The vials were either labeled “Conona Virus 2019nconv” or “Virus1 Test Kit,” according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The outside of the package was labeled “Purified Water Vials,” and had a declared value of $196.81, according to the agency.
The latest information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 1,629 people in the United States have tested positive for COVID-19. That number is expected to grow significantly as more people are able to be screened with the availability of more tests.
As of Sunday morning, Florida had 136 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, which causes COVID-19. Almost 40 of these cases were confirmed between Saturday and Sunday.
The surge was because the state recently allowed private labs to test patients with COVID-19 symptoms. Until late last week, testing was only allowed by staff at the Florida Department of Health’s three screening facilities.
Customs issued a statement warning the public not to fall victim to those selling phony tests.
“Authorized diagnostic testing for COVID-19 is conducted in verified state and local public health laboratories across the United States, the statement reads. “The American public should be aware of bogus home testing kits for sale either online or in informal direct to consumer settings.”
This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 12:16 PM.
