So some good news on testing. Thread.
It appears that we have finally started making progress.
Thank goodness.
For about 3 weeks, we were stuck at 150K tests/day. This was woefully inadequate.
Yet everyday we heard from leaders that we were doing enough. We weren't.
1/n
It appears that we have finally started making progress.
Thank goodness.
For about 3 weeks, we were stuck at 150K tests/day. This was woefully inadequate.
Yet everyday we heard from leaders that we were doing enough. We weren't.
1/n
On 4/22, there was a huge spike. But it was just backlog getting cleared from California. False hope I thought.
But since then, each day, we've seen higher numbers.
It now feels like it wasn't a fluke
Thursday 4/23: 193K
Friday 4/24: 223K
Saturday 4/25: 300K!
Sunday 4/26: 256K
But since then, each day, we've seen higher numbers.
It now feels like it wasn't a fluke
Thursday 4/23: 193K
Friday 4/24: 223K
Saturday 4/25: 300K!
Sunday 4/26: 256K
When you look across state, lots of states are up, from NY to CA to Michigan and FL. And small states too.
And the % positive -- a key metric to track under-testing, has been getting better!
4/21 -- 17.9%
4/24 -- 14.1%
4/26 -- 10.7%!!
3/5
And the % positive -- a key metric to track under-testing, has been getting better!
4/21 -- 17.9%
4/24 -- 14.1%
4/26 -- 10.7%!!
3/5
A lot has gone into these improvements. States have worked hard to procure supplies, get more labs online
@cmsgov helped by raising reimbursement though suspect too soon to see that effect
States have been leading, but Feds finally helping too (so I hear from states)
4/6
@cmsgov helped by raising reimbursement though suspect too soon to see that effect
States have been leading, but Feds finally helping too (so I hear from states)
4/6
Reality check of course is that this is still nowhere near enough.
We've estimated US needs 500K+ tests per day if we are to have a shot at keeping our economy open.
Others, like @paulmromer and @RockefellerFdn think its tens of millions per day
5/6
We've estimated US needs 500K+ tests per day if we are to have a shot at keeping our economy open.
Others, like @paulmromer and @RockefellerFdn think its tens of millions per day
5/6
Recap:
Testing was stuck forever. Now finally starting to break loose!
4 day-trend gives me hope we may be making progress
We still have a long way to go. But progress!
If we can ramp up testing a bunch more, we can more safely ease distancing restrictions.
Fin
Testing was stuck forever. Now finally starting to break loose!
4 day-trend gives me hope we may be making progress
We still have a long way to go. But progress!
If we can ramp up testing a bunch more, we can more safely ease distancing restrictions.
Fin
