Drop in new coronavirus cases in U.S. is muddied by reporting and testing snags

[Eugene]

Source: Washington Post

Live Updates

Live updates: Drop in new coronavirus cases in U.S. is muddied by reporting and testing snags

By Miriam Berger, Derek Hawkins, Lateshia Beachum, Hamza Shaban, Meryl Kornfield, Reis Thebault, Hannah Knowles and Colby Itkowitz
8/5/2020, 9:32:38 p.m.

The number of new coronavirus cases recorded nationwide each day is dropping after peaking at more than 75,000 — but the declines are muddied by issues with testing and data-gathering in big states.

Populous California and Florida have the largest decreases in the past month in raw numbers: Florida’s daily cases have tumbled to about 7,300 from a peak of nearly 12,000, while California surpassed 10,000 before dropping close to 7,000. Those two states also have reported major data snags.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) noted a big drop in daily cases, but officials warned a day later that issues with the reporting system were causing an undercount. Florida’s numbers, meanwhile, were disrupted by Hurricane Isaias, which led officials to suspend coronavirus testing at dozens of sites.

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Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/08/05/coronavirus-covid-live-updates-us/?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-high_coronavirus-luf-1235am%3Aprime-time%2Fpromo

[mucifer]

1. I thought Florida stopped testing temporarily d/t the storm

[Phoenix61]

2. They did, so of course they numbers drop. mt

[Baitball Blogger]

4. But they can't hide the death counts.

The last three days in my county:
10 dead
1 dead
16 dead

They can delay the number, but it eventually has to be reported.

[MoonlitKnight]

5. Correct

Most testing is just resuming.

Also, many south Florida counties and cities imposed very strict mandatory mask orders about two weeks ago. Miami has $100 fine for first offenses- no warnings. This should be having a positive impact there.

Due to no statewide or national plan, we will of course see spikes continue elsewhere.

[chriscan64]

3. They required reporting to go to HHS instead of CDC.

That could be working its way into the system now as fudged lower numbers. Just a theory, no evidence but I wouldn't put it past Trump. He has always been more concerned about the number of reported cases than actual humans suffering with cases.

[LuckyLib]

6. This is all so much of a big mess that no wonder nobody trusts anything.

It's August and still the Dumpster administration is playing around. States should report data to both HHS (suspect organization now) and CDC.