Today’s entry: I’m just curious when these tests were taken that we are getting results from.
Bottom Line: This question is in reference to my daily Florida update story discussing the latest case information. To be honest, the answer is it depends, and I mean that for multiple reasons. It also raises an important point about where it’s best to be tested. We have different types of test kits being used and different types of processing taking place.
There’s been a vast difference in the processing time between the state-operated testing sites and private processing. The state-operated facilities have been consistently producing results in under two days. The average time for private processing from labs like Quest Diagnostics and Lab Corp has ballooned eight days. So first, if you’re looking to be tested, it’s definitely best if you can schedule an appointment with one of the state-operated testing sites.
As for the timeline of the test results, 17% of all tests have been conducted at state-operated facilities with an average estimated turnaround time of 36 hours. While 83% have occurred at private labs with an average turnaround time of seven days.
Put it all together and you get an average turnaround time of about 5 days. In reality, the updates we receive and interpret new information, are really reflections of where we were days ago. That’s surely part of what weighs on the minds of healthcare experts and officials pressed to act on their recommendations. While the longer-range projections are just educated guesses, what they’re looking at today is highly projectible over the next week. That’s probably why the mood and actions of public officials at any given time may seem more severe than what the numbers might currently suggest. Context is always key in discussing information like this, especially when there’s a constantly moving target.
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