On 30.09.2020, the National Transparency Authority (NTA) carried out an inspection at the polyclinic "MINOAN LAB" and the private general clinic "Asclepieion of Crete SA", in order to investigate the conditions of supply, distribution/use and performance of the SARS COV-2/COVID-19 diagnostic tests, as well as the management of their results, during the examination of the crew members of the cruise ship Mein Schiff 6.
The team of the NTA proceeded to examine the management, scientific officers, and laboratory staff of the above mentioned private organisations.
Findings of the Auditor-Inspectors during the on-the-spot inspection:
- The "Asclepieion" clinic was invited by the partner company Mega Travel Services, to deliver the necessary stylets to the doctors and nurses of the MeinShiff 6 cruise ship, in order to take samples from the crew members. The sampling was done by molecular rather than rapid tests. The swabs were certified by CMS MEDICAL DEVICES AND DRUGS SL.
- Samples were taken by the medical and nursing staff employed on the cruise ship in question.
- After the completion of the sampling, the collected samples were received on Sunday 27.09.2020 by the staff of " Asclepieion " and immediately transferred to the contracted "Minoanlab" for analysis, since "Asclepieion" only collects the samples and not analyze them.
- At every stage of the transfer, from the delivery of the stylets to the final release of the results, there was strict adherence by all parties involved to all safety protocols.
- The test was performed by "Minoanlab" using real best rna sars-cov-2. The analysis of the whole sample (150 stylets) resulted in 12 twelve positive samples. After retesting these positive samples, the "Asclepieion", the National Public Health Organization and the Social Security e-Government platform were informed.
- It is noted that the Minoanlab laboratory reported that these positive results were borderline, as they were measured at cycle 38 or 39 with a cut-off point of 40 after which the test is recorded as negative.
- In the retest carried out by the National Public Health Organization using a PCR method in a public laboratory, the 12 cases initially reported as positive were found to be negative.