Many technicians at Labcorp and Quest Diagnostics, two of the largest commercial labs in the US, have been refusing to draw blood from patients who m
Many technicians at Labcorp and Quest Diagnostics, two of the largest commercial labs in the US, have been refusing to draw blood from patients who might have monkeypox, CNN has learned. Labcorp and Quest don’t dispute that in many cases, their phlebotomists are not taking blood from possible monkeypox patients. What remains unclear is whether the phlebotomists are refusing on their own or if it is the company policy that prevents them. The two testing giants say they’re reviewing their safety policies and procedures for their employees. Infectious disease experts who treat monkeypox patients say that the refusals are based on stigma and slow efforts to identify and isolate patients with monkeypox at a time when the nation’s health officials are coming under criticism for struggling to get the outbreak under control. As of Tuesday, there were 6,326 reported cases of monkeypox, an 81% increase from a week before, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“This is absolutely inexcusable. It’s a grave dereliction of duty,” said David Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors, which represents 1,600 sexual health clinics in the US, some of which have phlebotomists from commercial labs including Labcorp and Quest in their offices. The commercial labs employ tens of thousands of phlebotomists, health care professionals who draw blood, in various types of clinics and doctors’ offices across the country, as well as in their own patient service centers. “We can’t afford a delay in diagnostic testing because commercial labs aren’t doing the right thing,” said Harvey. Monkeypox cases in the US have been mainly among men who have sex with men, as reported by CNN.
Watch against contagion
In the last 24 hours 2,064 new cases of contagion and 4 deaths caused by Covid 19 were reported by State and Health Authorities. Contagion is being watched in Guanajuato and cases of contagion reported are over 2,000 in the last 24 hours, while there were 4 deaths reported. Authorities maintain the color of activities in the GREEN easing restrictions on activities, both leisure and work.
State Health Authorities insist that Guanajuato should maintain health protection.
For more information call:
- 800 004 4800 and
- 800 627 2583
Or visit:
- https://coronavirus.guanajuato.gob.mx/
- reactivemosgto.guanajuato.gob.mx
