RI Testing Numbers Balloon With Colleges Reporting — Fine Calls Percent Positive Now “Meaningless"

RI Testing Numbers Balloon With Colleges Reporting — Fine Calls Percent Positive Now “Meaningless"

The Rhode Island Department of Health on Thursday reported that on Wednesday 8,594 people had been tested in Rhode Island for coronavirus — a significant increase over recent weeks. 

“We have had some high testing numbers over the last week…college students doing baseline testing is a contributing factor,” said RIDOH spokesperson Joseph Wendelken. “The results for college students come to us the same way that other results come to us. The resulting laboratory reports to RIDOH."

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RIDOH reported 108 new positive cases, for a “percent positive” on Wednesday of 1.3% — however Dr. Michael Fine, the former RI Director of Health, said that with the massive influx of student testing, that measurement is now flawed.

Governor Gina Raimondo has been holding out that the key number -- less than 2% of those tested be infected -- is critical to reopening the economy and schools.

But, by adding tens of thousands of college students is changing the baseline data says Fine.

“That 2% has become meaningless. What we want to know is how much community transmission there is,” said Fine. “We just need a way to measure that. The thing that matters most is the level of community transmission. These are not magic numbers — they’re a window into what’s happening.”

“Every time you dilute the denominator you confuse what it is we’re looking at — you need it stable over time,” said Fine.  “We’re trying to measure how much disease is present in communities — and the percent positive doesn’t do that. “