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Right now, tests are being done in much larger numbers — a positive development — but this increase is also slowing down results.
Adm. Brett Giroir, assistant secretary for health at the US Department of Health and Human Services, said Thursday that health officials want to reduce wait times for results.
“Even in the large commercial labs, and we follow this every single day, there may be an outlier that’s 10 days or 12 days, we can’t deny that that happens,” Giroir said. He wants test results back as fast as possible, but a three-day turnaround is “very reasonable.”
Commercial labs have said they are backed up, with results often taking as long as seven days to turn around.
“I’m never going to say that I’m happy with any turnaround time, Giroir added.
Giroir says 700,000 to 800,000 people are being tested each day.
That means it’ll be a week before officials know how many of them are infected. Test results are also important information for contract tracers who are trying to find people who might be infected.
In the meantime, state and local leaders are making decisions on whether to stop reopenings or reimpose restrictions.
And with a lack of federal mandates, they’re taking matters into their own hands, such as requiring people to wear masks in public.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced on Thursday that face masks are required in public places when social distancing is impossible. The order takes effect at midnight on Thursday.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced a statewide order effective Monday. Masks will be required when people are in the presence of non-household members and aren’t able to socially distance.
Alabama and Montana issued statewide facial covering orders on Wednesday.
Large retail chains have also mandated masks in stores. On Thursday, CVS, Publix and Target announced new rules for stores in states and cities where there are no government-mandated ordinances.
As morgues fill up, two counties bring in refrigerated trucks
Thirty-nine states reported an increase in the number of new cases from the week before. California, Florida, Arizona and Texas have become the states to watch as surging coronavirus cases lead to a shortage of hospital beds.
In Arizona’s Maricopa County, which has the most Covid-19 cases in the state, the medical examiner’s office has ordered four portable coolers with additional ones expected in the coming days, said…
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Read More: US coronavirus: Test results lag as cities and states face crucial
