Quote:
Originally Posted by biker1
The Sumter County numbers probably didn't include the UFHealth asymptomatic research testing at the Polo Grounds. I believe that testing reflected 2 positives out of approximately 1400 tests.
|
You are correct that the negative research tests are not included in the data. I don't know if the symptom-free positives were included. The test being used is not approved and may not be reliable, or may be.
In looking at the rate of positive tests, the only meaningful comparison is positive tests in people with symptoms compared to other people with symptoms. Keep in mind something special about the FDA test approved Polo testing. It was testing symptomatic people who had low grade illness. Almost nowhere else are people with low levels of symptoms being offered testing as the kits are in very short supply.
These individuals would not likely have presented to an ER, which may or may not have kits. So when you compare and include Sumter data, be very cautious. We have had greater testing of people with mild symptoms which would decrease the positive yield. Many other etiologies can explain some sore throat or fever or cough beyond Covid. If you only test those with higher fever, pneumonia, and hypoxia you will get a much higher positive Covid test rate.
The promised [one month ago] widely available drive-thru sites at CVS, Target, Walgreens and Walmart failed to materialize. These promised sites would have mimicked the Polo Field ill testing profile. But that announcement was a failed promise.
"
Today we’re announcing a new partnership with private sector to vastly increase and accelerate our capacity to test for the coronavirus. We want to make sure that those who need a test can get a test very safely, quickly, and conveniently. ..
We’ve been in discussions with pharmacies and retailers to make drive-thru tests available in the critical locations identified by public health professionals. The goal is for individuals to be able to drive up and be swabbed without having to leave your car.
I want to thank Google. Google is helping to develop a website. It’s going to be very quickly done, unlike websites of the past, to determine whether a test is warranted and to facilitate testing at a nearby convenient location."
[Google denied they were working on any such site and it never has appeared unlike that "website of the past" which was a criticism of the ACA website which took a few days to function well, but actually did get done.]