Australian state sees record cases, lab sends false results

SYDNEY (AP) – Australia’s most populous state has reported a record number of new COVID-19 cases and a spike in hospital admissions while thousands are isolating at home after contracting the virus or contact with an infected person. A major Sydney laboratory, located in New South Wales, said 400 people who were notified the day before that they had tested negative for COVID-19 had in fact tested positive. The lab’s medical director said these people have been contacted and informed of the error. Doctors and pharmacists in New South Wales say they are running out of doses of the vaccine as people rush to get the shot due to concerns about the omicron variant. The state reports 6,394 new cases.