By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported this week that officers assigned to O’Hare International Airport, International Mail Facility (IMF) intercepted packages containing prohibited medical drug kits arriving from the United Kingdom.

Image/CBP

On March 17, 2020, CBP officers intercepted shipments containing “Test Kits” for various viruses and diseases to include COVID-19.  Not all the COVID-19 test kits were in each parcel, and there was generally just one COVID-19 test kit within groups of other alleged test kits for meningitis, IVF, MRSA, onion, apple, salmonella and others. The shipment was turned over to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for analysis.

“CBP personnel have done a phenomenal job with intercepting these items,” said Lesley Lukens, Chief Supervisory Officer, International Mail Facility. “Each seizure provides additional insight into past, current and future smuggling trends to assist CBP with intercepting additional parcels containing similar items that are harmful to our personal health and national security.”

Authorized diagnostic testing for COVID-19  and other virus and diseases is conducted in verified state and local public health laboratories across the United States. The American public should be aware of counterfeit home testing kits for sale either online or in informal direct to consumer settings.

Stay at Home

In response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Chicago has joined the State of Illinois in issuing a Stay at Home order effective today. In addition, City of Chicago facilities are closed to the public. Staff are prioritizing essential services to protect the health and safety of our residents and employees.

To date, Illinois state health officials reported 753 COVID-19 cases, including six deaths.