Health officials in Peel Region say that they accidentally mailed letters to 16 residents saying that their COVID-19 test results were negative when they were in fact positive.

Officials say that several positive test slips were mixed in with a batch of negative results and the error was not noticed until the letters were mailed out.

“I know the relief those residents felt for a few moments has sadly been transformed into feelings of fear and uncertainty. Our team is working quickly to notify these residents and make sure they have what they need to manage this difficult situation,” said Peel interim medical officer of health Lawrence C. Loh in a news release.

“On behalf of the Region of Peel, I extend apologies to those residents impacted by this error.”

The Region of Peel includes more than 1.5 million people and 175,000 businesses in the cities of Brampton and Mississauga and the Town of Caledon.

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