The Food and Drug Administration sent a message to Congress on Monday night during the week in which most of the 535 lawmakers will meet in one chamber to confirm the results of the Electoral College – the available tests yield an alarmingly high amount of false negatives results on.
After a month-long delay on Capitol Hill to conduct the Covid-19 testing for members and staff, thousands of people working in the building became dependent on the system due to increased vacation travel and exposure.
But the new FDA warning questions the effectiveness of tests administered by startup Curative, weeks after it became readily available in November, after a number of positive cases among lawmakers.
‘The FDA notice leaves no doubt as to the accuracy of a positive test result. The possible concern is only related to negative test results, ‘said dr. Brian P. Monahan, the Chief Capitol Doctor, wrote to the offices of the House and Senate.
“We expect to receive additional information from the FDA and our expert consultants in the coming days regarding any concerns about the continued use of this test for the Capitol community.”
For the first time since the pandemic began, nearly the entire house gathered on the floor Sunday with less than ideal social distance and masked wear. Rep. Kay Granger, R-TX, voted on the floor and mingled with members and immediately tested positive for coronavirus the next day.
“We insisted on removal, which did not always happen. But we still urge members to come vote, leave and not spend time on the floor when they do not need to. It has not always worked as well as we would like, and we still urge members to observe it. And we will continue to do so, ‘Hoyer said in a call to reporters Tuesday ahead of the certification.
Earlier this week, at least 60 lawmakers tested positive for the virus, according to an NBC News report, and on Wednesday, when both chambers of Congress will run for a joint session that could last until Thursday, a majority of lawmakers will in the same room at the same time.
“During the joint session, access to the floor of the house will be restricted to members who plan to speak during the joint session,” according to the guidance given Tuesday night by the Capitol doctor and the sergeant.
Tests on Capitol Hill, free for people with a congressional ID, were popular and very much relied on, especially Congress’ travel days and the past few weeks due to the holidays.
“I’m a little concerned that Fred Turner, the 25-year-old founder of Curative Inc., without medical background, rewarded the contract for testing legislators, staff and the media in the U.S. Capitol,” said one Republican senator. said. “I was dependent on this service and was optimistic that it was reliable.”
Curative, a Los Angeles-based co-founder of Los Angeles, was originally created to detect sepsis – a deadly blood infection. Now the company has been awarded a contract to test a third of the US government.
The test company has not yet responded to NBC News’ request to comment on the exact amount of tests administered and more information on the contract obtained with Congress.
“I’m worried we’re going to see a lot of members get sick,” said a Democratic House assistant. “We have seen members ignore the safety guidelines since the 117th (Congress) began.”
‘With high tensions and people in a nearby area’, the staff member is concerned that the certification of the election college on Wednesday at the Capitol could be a ” super-spreading event ‘. ‘
