Ellume Recalls COVID-19 Home Test for Potential False Positives
By U.S. Food and Drug Administration | 11.10.21
Higher-than-acceptable false positive test results for SARS-CoV-2.
The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. Use of these tests may cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
Product Names: Ellume COVID-19 Home Test
Product Codes and Lot Numbers: See Medical Device Recall Database Entries or the Ellume Recall Website below in the Additional Resources section
Manufacturing Dates: February 24, 2021 to August 11, 2021
Distribution Dates: April 13, 2021 to August 26, 2021
Devices Recalled in the United States: 2,212,335
Date Initiated by Firm: October 1, 2021
The Ellume COVID-19 Home Test is an antigen test that detects proteins from the SARS-CoV-2 virus from a nasal sample in people two years of age or older. The Ellume COVID-19 Home Test is available without a prescription for use by people with or without COVID-19 symptoms. This at-home test uses swab samples taken from further up inside the nose (mid-turbinate) but not as deep inside the nose to reach the back of the throat (nasopharyngeal) where a health care professional collects a sample. The Ellume COVID-19 Home Test uses an analyzer that connects with a smartphone app to show users how to perform the test and understand the test results.
The FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) on December 15, 2020 and authorized a revision to the EUA on February 11, 2021 to allow emergency use of the Ellume COVID-19 Home Test.
Ellume is recalling certain lots of the COVID-19 Home Test because they have higher-than-acceptable false positive test results for SARS-CoV-2. The reliability of negative test results is not affected. For these tests, a false positive test result shows that a person has the virus when they do not have it and could lead to:
There have been 35 reports of false positive results sent to the FDA and no deaths reported.
People who received a positive test result for SARS-CoV-2 detected by the Ellume COVID-19 Home Test may be affected.
Recalled Product
Product Names: Ellume COVID-19 Home Test
Product Codes and Lot Numbers: See Medical Device Recall Database Entries or the Ellume Recall Website below in the Additional Resources section
Manufacturing Dates: February 24, 2021 to August 11, 2021
Distribution Dates: April 13, 2021 to August 26, 2021
Devices Recalled in the United States: 2,212,335
Date Initiated by Firm: October 1, 2021
The Ellume COVID-19 Home Test is an antigen test that detects proteins from the SARS-CoV-2 virus from a nasal sample in people two years of age or older. The Ellume COVID-19 Home Test is available without a prescription for use by people with or without COVID-19 symptoms. This at-home test uses swab samples taken from further up inside the nose (mid-turbinate) but not as deep inside the nose to reach the back of the throat (nasopharyngeal) where a health care professional collects a sample. The Ellume COVID-19 Home Test uses an analyzer that connects with a smartphone app to show users how to perform the test and understand the test results.
The FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) on December 15, 2020 and authorized a revision to the EUA on February 11, 2021 to allow emergency use of the Ellume COVID-19 Home Test.
Ellume is recalling certain lots of the COVID-19 Home Test because they have higher-than-acceptable false positive test results for SARS-CoV-2. The reliability of negative test results is not affected. For these tests, a false positive test result shows that a person has the virus when they do not have it and could lead to:
- Delayed diagnosis or treatment for the actual cause of the person’s illness, which could be another life-threatening disease that is not COVID-19.
- Further spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus when presumed positive people are grouped into cohorts (that is, they are housed together) based on false test results.
- The person receiving unnecessary COVID-19 treatment from a health care provider, such as antiviral treatment, convalescent plasma, or monoclonal antibody treatment, which can result in side effects.
- Disregard for the recommended precautions against COVID-19, including vaccination.
- Isolation, including monitoring household or close contacts for symptoms, limiting contact with family or friends, and missing school or work.
There have been 35 reports of false positive results sent to the FDA and no deaths reported.
People who received a positive test result for SARS-CoV-2 detected by the Ellume COVID-19 Home Test may be affected.
