Washington state officials question bulk shipment of Q-tip style COVID-19 test swabs

Washington state received a shipment of what appeared to be regular Q-tips from the federal government for the purpose of coronavirus testing, but state health officials say the contents differ from the packaging.

"The swabs arrived packaged in boxes that erroneously described them as 'cotton comfort swabs,'" read a statement from Washington's Joint Information Center on Saturday. "These swabs are actually spun polyester swabs, not cotton swabs, and are 'Q-tip style swabs' that according to the federal government can be used for coronavirus testing."

The state received 21,960 of these swabs, officials said. Because of the bulk packaging and seemingly common Q-tip labeling, state health officials asked for clarification on how to safely use these swabs.

"We received a memo describing a potential method for using these bulk swabs. The state is considering a variety of options for safe and sterile use of these bulk packaged swabs," continued the statement from state officials.

According to that memo, individually wrapped sterile swabs are preferred "when possible," but bulk packaged swabs can also be used as long as extra precautions are taken to ensure none of the swabs become contaminated.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/washington-state-officials-question-bulk-shipment-of-q-tip-style-covid-19-test-swabs/ar-BB14bVp0?ocid=hplocalnews

The required test swabs are longer and skinnier than Q-tips. They have to probe way up ones nasal cavity.