General Discussion

mr_lebowski

(33,643 posts) Mon Mar 9, 2020, 07:05 PM Mar 2020

A 'Test Kit' and a 'Test' are two different things ...

The CDC test kits can process about 700 specimens, and typically people are tested twice, so about 350 people per test kit.

Hence the word 'kit'.

This may be the source of a lot of confusion and people shaking their heads at the 'math' they're hearing.

For those who don't feel like doing the math, you need 2857 test kits to test 1,000,000 people.

7 replies

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Highlight:

A 'Test Kit' and a 'Test' are two different things ... (Original Post) mr_lebowski Mar 2020 OP

Azar said the 2 million number included tests ordered. underpants Mar 2020 #1

And individuals who get the virus need multiple testing Lars39 Mar 2020 #2

So are there 75,000 "test kits" or only 75,000 tests? Pachamama Mar 2020 #3

Good info to know. Thanks for posting. Farmer-Rick Mar 2020 #4

So, that's 1/300th down htuttle Mar 2020 #5

Wow! I thought this would be 2naSalit Mar 2020 #6

Here's what the CDC tweeted out today Maeve Mar 2020 #7

underpants

(182,562 posts)

1. Azar said the 2 million number included tests ordered.

Reply to mr_lebowski (Original post)

Mon Mar 9, 2020, 07:08 PM

Mar 2020

Oh okay.

Lars39

(26,101 posts)

2. And individuals who get the virus need multiple testing

Reply to mr_lebowski (Original post)

Mon Mar 9, 2020, 07:08 PM

Mar 2020

to see if they are truly over it.

Pachamama

(16,884 posts)

3. So are there 75,000 "test kits" or only 75,000 tests?

Reply to mr_lebowski (Original post)

Mon Mar 9, 2020, 07:09 PM

Mar 2020

Farmer-Rick

(10,129 posts)

4. Good info to know. Thanks for posting.

Reply to mr_lebowski (Original post)

Mon Mar 9, 2020, 07:09 PM

Mar 2020

htuttle

(23,738 posts)

5. So, that's 1/300th down

Reply to mr_lebowski (Original post)

Mon Mar 9, 2020, 07:10 PM

Mar 2020

We're going to need a bit more than that.

Like yesterday.

2naSalit

(86,293 posts)

6. Wow! I thought this would be

Reply to mr_lebowski (Original post)

Mon Mar 9, 2020, 07:12 PM

Mar 2020

a musical parody of some sort!

Maeve

(42,269 posts)

7. Here's what the CDC tweeted out today

Reply to mr_lebowski (Original post)

Mon Mar 9, 2020, 07:15 PM

Mar 2020

As of March 9, 78 state and local public health labs across 50 states now have the capacity to test up to 75,000 people for #COVID19. State/local public health staff determine which specimens should be tested. See updated interim testing guidance: https://bit.ly/331U9jY .

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=13065287

That sounds like they weren't talking kits, either

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