Pittsburgh Mayor-elect Ed Gainey says covid-19 test was false positive

Pittsburgh Mayor-elect Ed Gainey said Wednesday that his recent covid-19 test was a false positive.

Gainey had moved an announcement regarding his transition team to a virtual format Monday after a rapid covid-19 test came back positive.

Gainey, who is vaccinated and has received a booster, never had symptoms of the virus. His initial rapid test was described by his primary care physician as “slightly positive,” meaning he needed a PCR test for confirmation.

The results of the PCR test, which came Tuesday evening, were negative.

“I believe it is extremely important that everybody in Pittsburgh get a covid-19 vaccine and a booster, and that everyone use recommended masking procedures when in public spaces, regardless of vaccination status,” Gainey said. “We must not forget that the risk from covid-19, including from its new variant omicron, is still a major public health threat.”