Florida's hidden data skews COVID-19 test results

[tulipsandroses]

Florida might be minimizing the depth of its COVID-19 problem by underreporting its rate of positive tests, experts say.

The method used to calculate the “positivity rate” — a critical measure of the pandemic’s progression — puts more emphasis on negative tests, skewing the results in that direction.
A person who tests positive is counted only once, but negative tests can be counted repeatedly if the same person got more than one test.

In addition, just as the pandemic raced out of control this month, the state changed the formula. It now mixes two different types of tests, including one that produces more false negative results.

[link:https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-ne-positivity-rate-florida-paints-rosy-pandemic-picture-20200715-cpwwngaefzdnpitbs7buh7zsei-story.html|

[BigmanPigman]

1. Texas finally reported backlog of 4,810 cases

Texas: Bexar County reported 5,501 cases today, 691 of which represent new cases, while 4,810 were backlogged, the result of "kinks in the communication process with the state, and that cases have been underreported in the past two weeks" according to reports citing San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. Some of the 21 reported deaths were also backlogged [source] Worldometer has redistributed the 4,810 backlogged cases over the previous 14 days based on the existing pattern of Bexar County daily case increases over the same period.

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us