Virus testing in the US is dropping, even as deaths mount
Source: AP
U.S. testing for the coronavirus is dropping even as infections remain high and the death toll rises by more than 1,000 a day, a worrisome trend that officials attribute largely to Americans getting discouraged over having to wait hours to get a test and days or weeks to learn the results.
An Associated Press analysis found that the number of tests per day slid 3.6% over the past two weeks to 750,000, with the count falling in 22 states. That includes places like Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri and Iowa where the percentage of positive tests is high and continuing to climb, an indicator that the virus is still spreading uncontrolled.
Amid the crisis, some health experts are calling for the introduction of a different type of test that would yield results in a matter of minutes and would be cheap and simple enough for millions of Americans to test themselves but would also be less accurate.
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Widespread testing is considered essential to managing the outbreak as the U.S. approaches a mammoth 5 million confirmed infections and more than 157,000 deaths out of over 700,000 worldwide.
Read more: https://apnews.com/aebdc0978de958f20ab3f398cdf6f769
regnaD kciN
(26,044 posts)...I wonder if this has anything to do with it?
jimfields33
(15,703 posts)I do think Florida does start testing again tomorrow. The state did stop for five days for preparation.
NickB79
(19,224 posts)So much for the drop
ananda
(28,837 posts)It has everything to do with it!
rurallib
(62,387 posts)I haven't had a chance to investigate, but what you say jibes with what is happening.
Probably to show low numbers as school is about to start.
Thanks.
ProfessorGAC
(64,871 posts)A bit from a short peak, but about average since early to mid July.
About 700,00 tests yesterday, and only a handful of days were over 800k.
In fact, just 5 days ago tests were almost 900k, but 5 days before that, around 730k.
You may disagree. Here's the chart so you can take your own view, if you wish.
https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/testing/individual-states/usa
Pobeka
(4,999 posts)US = US total
US-Rep = States/districts run by republican governors
US-Dem = States/districts run by democratic governors
ProfessorGAC
(64,871 posts)The bar chart didn't reflect that as well.
Good find!