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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHeads up: Texas is apparently fudging the numbers of Covid-19 cases.
They're not counting positive antigen tests. These are FDA approved tests for Covid since May 9th, but Texas has not only removed (at least) 3,484 cases from San Antonio's total, the way I'm reading it they aren't including these test results from anyplace else.
Read the actual article, this is BS anti-science being spread by Ted Cruz and implemented as fact in Texas.
Instead, these cases were all positive antigen tests, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services and San Antonio Metro Health.
Currently, Texas reports on all antibody testing and molecular coronavirus tests, but does not include results from antigen tests in its totals.
Part of the problem? The antigen tests may not detect all active infections like the molecular COVID-19 test, according to the FDA. That means a negative antigen test may need to be confirmed with an additional molecular test.
https://www.statesman.com/news/20200717/fact-check-why-did-texas-remove-3000-cases-from-its-coronavirus-count
Here's more on it from a local San Antonio source.
SAN ANTONIO As state officials updated the Texas Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 dashboard on Wednesday, they included a note about Bexar Countys case count.
The San Antonio Metro Health District has clarified its reporting to separate confirmed and probable cases, so the Bexar County and statewide totals have been updated to remove 3,484 probable cases. The local case count previously included probable cases identified by antigen testing but not those from antibody testing or other sources.
The states count, which only includes confirmed cases, now shows more than 17,000 COVID-19 cases for Bexar County, while Bexar Countys local count shows more than 21,000 cases, combining confirmed and probable cases.
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In San Antonio, probable case counts specifically include symptomatic individuals who had a positive antigen test.
Probable cases do not mean maybe cases of COVID-19, said Dr. Colleen Bridger, interim director of Metro Health. Antigen tests are FDA approved, and positive tests are highly accurate. San Antonio is one of only three Texas cities collecting and reporting this data per the CDC guidelines, but the State of Texas wants apples-to-apples comparisons between Texas cities.
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/07/16/why-texas-health-department-removed-thousands-of-covid-19-cases-from-bexar-countys-tally/
This is bullshit and shouldn't be allowed. If we had a semblance of national leadership states would not be allowed to risk people's lives like this. Ignoring theses cases doesn't help anyone. Literally, the WH relies on antigen tests (they're faster) to keep Trump safe from potential cases, but they're not legitimate enough (they do have a high false negative, not positive. The protein has to be there for a positive to come back) for the database in Texas?
BigmanPigman
(51,646 posts)tRump's prediction to Chris Wallace of, "This is going to go away, eventually" sounds really promising.
We are basically doing herd immunity at this point. I guess we will be until we get a new POTUS and Senate....6 months from now.
herding cats
(19,569 posts)Gyms are also open, as is most all else except bars. Luckily they at least closed down bars here.
Dine in is just foolish at this point, but it's freaking nuts in a state with a massive outbreak like Texas. I'd not even consider outdoor dining in Texas at this point in the outbreak. However, the Texas Restaurant Association met with Abbot, and here we are.
Then there's the state playing fast and loose with the numbers. The reason hotspots are using the rapid antigen tests is it can take 7-10 days to get results back here. Which is useless for contact tracing.
BigmanPigman
(51,646 posts)and made everyone stay inside, tested and traced and get stocked up on supplies and just bit the economic bullet. It worked in other countries! Now we are dragging this crap out endlessly, costing tons more in money and lives as well as millions left with long term health damage and tens of thousands in medical bills since they couldn't go to work and have no decent insur.
We have had the poorest leadership imaginable and GOP enablers are just as responsible for all of this! I wonder if we impeached him now if the Senate would vote to get rid of him. I doubt it.
Mersky
(4,986 posts)Should be working to roll out antigen testing across the state, not pulling back numbers. It is then that theyll have apples to apples that are truly helpful.
herding cats
(19,569 posts)Instead they knew they could confuse people with antigen vs. antibody and they ran with it. Add in the "presumptive positive" and they had a conspiracy Ted Cruz ran with on social media.
It's disgusting to watch them risk peoples lives while they contort themselves into pretzels to kiss Trump's butt. They're supposed to be working to protect the public health. That's their one job.
LizBeth
(9,952 posts)Thanks ahead of time.
herding cats
(19,569 posts)A simple explanation is here:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/covid-antibody-tests/expert-answers/faq-20484429
If test results show that you have antibodies, it indicates that you were likely infected with COVID-19 at some time in the past. It may also mean that you have some immunity. But the World Health Organization cautions that there's a lack of evidence on whether having antibodies means you're protected against reinfection with COVID-19. The level of immunity and how long immunity lasts are not yet known. Ongoing studies will eventually reveal more data on this.
LizBeth
(9,952 posts)herding cats
(19,569 posts)I agree, there's no reason not to count these tests. This is literally the test used at the WH.
duforsure
(11,885 posts)They'll work at corrupting all numbers with this virus, and all other numbers put out. The truth is their enemy , and exposes how badly they're failing us now, so they promote propaganda instead . Abbott will never win another election again in Texas.
NoPasaran
(17,291 posts)But unfortunately I expect that'll be because he'll be defeated in the primary by Dan "Grandma is Expendable" Patrick. And then, Texas being chock full o'nuts like it is, that lunatic will be our next governor.
Vinca
(50,322 posts)cases where a person is so ill they don't administer the test in order to save the supplies for someone who has a better chance of survival. (Apparently they have either a shortage of swabs or a shortage of reagents or both.) When those people die, the death is then not counted as a Covid death.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)I cant see how any sane person would want four more years of his incompetence.
beachbumbob
(9,263 posts)outcomes and redstates will continue to pay the price and I could care less. We have to do what it takes to protect ourselves and let darwin do the rest
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(49,060 posts)uponit7771
(90,370 posts)... and the only way we'll know something is wrong is the hospitals filling up