Misleading COVID 19 test totals; Georgia says they are in line with methodology from CDC

The article below raises questions about test numbers and once again, CDC is mentioned.  No response, unclear information from health officials and organizations does not bolster confidence or bode well during a pandemic.

At least four states combined data from two different test results for COVID 19. CNN reports Virginia, Texas, Georgia, and Vermont said they've been adding two numbers to their totals: viral test results and antibody test results.

"Combining the two tests' results into one total could provide an inaccurate picture of where and when the virus spread. The combination also could also overstate a state's ability to test and track active infections."

"Texas, Virginia and Vermont have said they've recognized the data issue and moved to fix it in the past few days. In Georgia, health officials said they've been adding antibody tests to their "total tests" number in line with methodology from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

"The CDC has not responded to CNN's request for comment on whether its guidance includes adding antibody tests to total test numbers. On its website, the database provides daily test results without a breakdown of whether they're viral or antibody."

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/05/21/health/us-coronavirus-thursday/index.html

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has acknowledged that it is mixing the results of two different kinds of tests in the agency's tally of testing for the coronavirus, raising concerns among some scientists that it could be creating an inaccurate picture of the state of the pandemic in the United States."

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/05/21/860480756/scientists-warn-cdc-testing-data-could-create-misleading-picture-of-pandemic