Spain withdraws 9,000 rapid tests of covid-19 manufactured in China for being "unreliable"

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The health crisis in Spain worsens due to the coronavirus 3:39

(CNN) - Spain is withdrawing 9,000 rapid tests of covid-19 made in China, after the tests revealed that their results were "unreliable".

The tests, carried out by the Chinese company "Shenzhen Bioeasy Biotechnology", were purchased "a few weeks ago" through a Spanish supplier that imported them from China, the government said in a statement sent to CNN. When the Spanish authorities tested the equipment before putting it into use, they did not reach the quality levels.

"Obviously, there was an obligation to return the lots and the supplier is going to change them," said the high-ranking official of the Spanish Ministry of Health, Fernando Simón, at the government's daily coronavirus briefing. "In addition, the Ministry of Health is exploring other providers to provide rapid tests," he said.

Although the trial revealed that the tests did not meet European Union standards, the equipment is certified by the EU, the government said. The European Commission told CNN that it is "investigating the situation."

The Spanish government added that the faulty tests are not part of the purchase of medical equipment from the Chinese government.

The Chinese embassy in Spain said on Twitter: "Donations made by the Chinese government and other entities such as Alibaba Group do not include products supplied by Shenzhen BioEasy Biotechnology."

The embassy also wrote, "Shenzhen Bioeasy Biotechnology has not yet obtained an official license to sell its products from the China National Administration of Medical Products."

CNN has contacted Shenzhen BioEasy Biotechnology for comment.

From Max Ramsay in London and Ingrid Formanek, Laura Pérez-Maestro and Al Goodman in Spain, and Mia Alberti in Lisbon.

covid-19Tests