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SouthernCal_Dem

(852 posts)
Wed Aug 5, 2020, 05:16 PM Aug 2020

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.

<...>

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

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Virus testing in the US is dropping, even as deaths mount (Original Post) SouthernCal_Dem Aug 2020 OP
New recorded cases have been dropping dramatically over the past few days... regnaD kciN Aug 2020 #1
Hurricane didn't help jimfields33 Aug 2020 #2
They spiked back over 55,000 again today NickB79 Aug 2020 #3
Wonder no more. ananda Aug 2020 #4
Iowa's cases have dropped dramatically in the past week rurallib Aug 2020 #5
I Don't See Sustained, Substantial Drop. ProfessorGAC Aug 2020 #6
I see it strongly now, look at the average tests/day from previous week vs date. Pobeka Aug 2020 #7
Yep! That Chart Is Much Better ProfessorGAC Aug 2020 #8

regnaD kciN

(26,044 posts)
1. New recorded cases have been dropping dramatically over the past few days...
Wed Aug 5, 2020, 05:27 PM
Aug 2020

...I wonder if this has anything to do with it?

jimfields33

(15,703 posts)
2. Hurricane didn't help
Wed Aug 5, 2020, 05:42 PM
Aug 2020

I do think Florida does start testing again tomorrow. The state did stop for five days for preparation.

rurallib

(62,387 posts)
5. Iowa's cases have dropped dramatically in the past week
Wed Aug 5, 2020, 06:29 PM
Aug 2020

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)
6. I Don't See Sustained, Substantial Drop.
Wed Aug 5, 2020, 08:10 PM
Aug 2020

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)
7. I see it strongly now, look at the average tests/day from previous week vs date.
Thu Aug 6, 2020, 10:56 AM
Aug 2020


US = US total
US-Rep = States/districts run by republican governors
US-Dem = States/districts run by democratic governors
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