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COVID-19 headline positivity latest

Last updated on Wednesday, 20 December 2023 at 04:15pm

Summary

Topic
COVID-19
Category
headline
API name
COVID-19_headline_positivity_latest

Rationale

COVID-19 testing is required to identify cases of COVID-19

Definition

This metric shows the percentage of the total number of PCR tests for COVID-19 taken in the last 7 days which had a positive result.

Data is shown by the date that the test was taken (specimen date).

Methodology

The testing data reporting on the dashboard is for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests only. Data from rapid lateral flow (LFD) tests are not included. Note that cases data includes results from both PCR and LFD tests.

Data for the last 5 days by specimen date are considered incomplete as it takes time to get test results and record them on relevant lab systems.

Positivity is calculated as the count of number of PCR tests taken in the last 7 days up to and including the most recent date with "complete" data (i.e. 5 days before the latest reported date) which had a positive result, divided by the total number of positive or negative PCR tests taken in the last 7 days up to and including the most recent date with "complete" data (i.e. 5 days before the latest reported date).

Caveats

Results from PCR tests only - LFD results are not included

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