Fake Coronavirus Testing Kits Seized at Los Angeles Airport
By Associated Press
Published 4 years ago on
March 16, 2020
Share
LOS ANGELES — Federal authorities warned consumers Saturday about fake home-testing kits for the coronavirus after customs agents intercepted a package at Los Angeles International Airport filled with vials labeled as COVID-19 test kits.
“The American public should be aware of bogus home testing kits for sale either online or in informal direct to consumer settings.” — U.S. Customs and Border Protection
The parcel arriving from the United Kingdom this week was declared as purified water vials valued at nearly $200. But when U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspected it they discovered the labels referring to the new virus that began in China and has spread globally.“The American public should be aware of bogus home testing kits for sale either online or in informal direct to consumer settings,” the agency said in a statement Saturday.
Testing for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, is only conducted in verified state and local public laboratories across the country. On Friday, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency and laid out new testing strategies after health care professionals, politicians and patients across the country complained about lack of access to testing.
However, public confusion persisted over who should be tested and how to get checked for the disease.
No further details, including any arrest connected to the intercepted package, were released. The vials were turned over to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for analysis.
RELATED TOPICS:
Hamas Is Sending a Delegation to Egypt for Further Cease-Fire Talks in the Latest Sign of Progress
World /
9 hours ago
DEA’s Marijuana Reclassification Could Revive California’s Struggling Pot Industry
Cannabis /
9 hours ago
US Airstrike Targeting Al-Qaida Leader in Syria Killed a Farmer, American Military Says
World /
10 hours ago
Lagging Revenue Drives California Budget Deficit as Deadline Nears
Opinion /
11 hours ago
Police Investigating Possible Vandalism at Jewish Temple, Catholic Church
Fresno police are investigating an incident of flyers posted on the exterior windows of Temple Beth Israel, and also at St. Anthony of Padua...
Crime /
5 hours ago
Categories
Latest
Videos
World /
9 hours ago
Hamas Is Sending a Delegation to Egypt for Further Cease-Fire Talks in the Latest Sign of Progress
Cannabis /
9 hours ago
DEA’s Marijuana Reclassification Could Revive California’s Struggling Pot Industry
World /
10 hours ago