FBI attacks New Jersey lab, requests new Covid-19 tests for people who have been there

The FBI is urging people who were tested for Covid-19 “by quick finger prick” in a New Jersey lab to be retested as soon as possible and to contact the agency.

The Infinity Diagnostic Lab, a lab located in Ventnor, was named by the agency in a public service announcement released Friday by the FBI’s Newark branch. The site allegedly offered tests for active antibodies and viruses, calling them “10-minute rapid tests” on a panel that was pulled on Friday, according to NBC Philadelphia.

FBI agents raided the scene Thursday but the office did not explain why, NBC Philadelphia confirmed.

A local employer told the outlet he paid to have his staff tested in the lab, but was wary of the results.

“I think giving false, inaccurate tests only makes a bad situation 10 times worse,” Brian Strahl told NBC Philadelphia. “Because you put … people at risk, and you also give people a false sense of security. I think it’s horrible.”

Finger-prick blood tests can be used to detect Covid-19 antibodies, but only nasal or saliva tests should be used to diagnose active cases, the FBI said on Friday.

Anyone who has received tests from the Infinity Diagnostic Lab should be retested, and the FBI has asked them to contact the agency because their answers “would be useful in a federal investigation.”

The Infinity Diagnostics Lab did not respond to NBC News phone calls on Sunday and did not respond to multiple requests for comment from NBC Philadelphia.