Report: Patriots Dealing With False-Positive COVID-19 Test Results

The New England Patriots shared the destiny of a few NFL teams. Sunday was full of surprises and the Patriots had to deal with false-positive COVID-19 test results. There was a huge mistake in the BioReference Laboratory in New Jersey.

New England received false-positive results tests as confirmed by Jeff Howe from The Athletic.

The NFL announced Sunday morning that they have investigated many positive tests from one particular laboratory.

“Saturday’s daily COVID testing returned several positives tests from each of the clubs serviced by the same laboratory in New Jersey.  We are working with our testing partner, BioReference, to investigate these results, while the clubs work to confirm or rule out the positive tests.  Clubs are taking immediate precautionary measures as outlined in the NFL-NFLPA’s health and safety protocols to include contact tracing, isolation of individuals and temporarily adjusting the schedule, where appropriate.  The other laboratories used for NFL testing have not had similar results.”

The Patriots handle the false-positive test results with ease

Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated reported that the Patriots sent their tests to the laboratory. The New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears received false-positive test results from the same laboratory.

New England missed a few players Sunday. Running backs James White and J.J. Taylor, wide receiver Jeff Thomas, tight end Jake Burt and cornerback Mike Jackson didn’t join the team Sunday. However, they appeared at Friday’s training camp session.

This was a rather shocking development for the Patriots. A single positive test can change the faith of the team. Players, coachers and staffers will have to be careful. Staying healthy is a priority now. We are in the middle of a pandemic and players have to adjust to a different system.

New England won’t have any fans in attendance. The stands will be empty in September as Patriots won’t have any fans in Week 1 and Week 2. Of course, this may change later in the season. The US struggles with the deadly virus and too many people have lost their lives in the battle against the invisible enemy.