Heads up: Texas is apparently fudging the numbers of Covid-19 cases.

[herding cats]

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.

Antigen tests are FDA-approved rapid detection tests for the coronavirus that can detect the virus and provide results within minutes of administration. They are not the same as antibody tests, which are used to determine whether an individual was previously infected with the coronavirus.

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.

Why Texas’ health department removed thousands of COVID-19 cases from Bexar County’s tally

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 County’s 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 state’s count, which only includes confirmed cases, now shows more than 17,000 COVID-19 cases for Bexar County, while Bexar County’s local count shows more than 21,000 cases, combining confirmed and probable cases.

<>

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]

1. This is going to delay recovery even longer.

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]

2. Yep. Texas does have a mask mandate, but it also has restaurants open at 50% capacity.

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]

5. We've wasted 6 months where the country should have shut down

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]

3. Oh, FFS. They're doing it backwards.

Should be working to roll out antigen testing across the state, not pulling back numbers. It is then that they’ll have apples to apples that are truly helpful.

[herding cats]

4. Exactly.

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]

13. I didn't grasp the difference in antigen and antibody. Can you more clearly explain that to me?

Thanks ahead of time.

[herding cats]

14. Antigen tests for current infections, antibody tests for a previous infection you've recovered from

A simple explanation is here:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/covid-antibody-tests/expert-answers/faq-20484429

Antigen test. This newer COVID-19 test detects certain proteins that are part of the virus. Using a nasal or throat swab to get a fluid sample, antigen tests can produce results in minutes. Because these tests are faster and less expensive than molecular tests are, some experts consider antigen tests more practical to use for large numbers of people. A positive antigen test result is considered very accurate, but there's an increased chance of false negative results — meaning it's possible to be infected with the virus but have negative antigen test results. So antigen tests aren't as sensitive as molecular tests are. Depending on the situation, the doctor may recommend a molecular test to confirm a negative antigen test result.

Antibody testing, also known as serology testing, is done after full recovery from COVID-19. Eligibility may vary, depending on the availability of tests. A health care professional takes a blood sample, usually by a finger prick or by drawing blood from a vein in the arm. Then the sample is tested to determine whether you've developed antibodies against the virus. The immune system produces these antibodies — proteins that are critical for fighting and clearing out the virus.

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]

15. Thank you so much. It is absurd that number is not counted. I appreciate it.

[herding cats]

16. You're welcome.

I agree, there's no reason not to count these tests. This is literally the test used at the WH.

[duforsure]

6. As long as trump and Abbott are in office

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]

11. I agree that Abbott is probably doomed

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]

7. A doctor who was interviewed yesterday said there was an undercount and he talked about

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]

17. It is really sad when I think about how incompetently Trump has handled this crisis.

I can’t see how any sane person would want four more years of his incompetence.

[beachbumbob]

8. nothing stops corrupt state leaders to do this except a change in state leadership, elections have

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]

9. Precisely

[Bernardo de La Paz]

10. Lying w numbers to stay open only makes Texans ill & dead. Only helps 1% with profits, short term.nt

[uponit7771]

12. K&R, I said a week ago the numbers will go down because testing will be slowed by Trump ...

... and the only way we'll know something is wrong is the hospitals filling up

[BadGimp]

18. COVID Don't Care!