Storm impacts and testing numbers

Tropical Storm Isaias shut down state-run coronavirus testing sites in Florida on July 30, including state-run Legends Center, and Regency Mall location.

The closure means thousands of tests have not been administered, and testing data will be impacted in the coming days.

The Regency site alone collected more than 1,000 tests last Thursday before closing.

Closed sites could be why The Florida Department of Health saw nearly 2,000 fewer people get tested between August 1st and 2nd.

“Although we are starting to see a reduction in the number of test results coming back, we are seeing a positivity number that is unchanged.” Chad Neilsen, the director of infection prevention at UF Health Jacksonville, said.

Neilsen said the positivity rate should be the main focus, which is staying around 13% for the State—overall in Duval County, that number is closer to 11%.

“The deaths in Florida continue to climb day-by-day, and I don’t think that is going to stop anytime soon,” Neilsen said.

Senator Marco Rubio tweeted about testing numbers Monday, the tweet in part stated:

“Test numbers from Florida in coming days will be impacted by test centers closing on Thursday due to storm given testing lag times this isn’t fully reflected in numbers from last two days.”

Cox Media Group