Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • beats
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    • California Dream
    • Videos
    • Photos
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Roots
    • Eclectic
    • Videos
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight
    • California State of Mind
    • The View From Here
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • Insight Music
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • CapRadio Travels
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support / Underwriting
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Volunteering
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu

COVID-19 Testing In California Dropped By Over 30% In Recent Weeks. That Could Be A Good Sign

  •  Scott Rodd 
Friday, February 19, 2021 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

A phlebotomist takes a finger prick blood sample at a drive-through COVID-19 testing site in Bolinas on April 22, 2020. Bolinas is attempting to test the entire town in conjunction with a UCSF study, one of the first efforts of its kind in California

Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

The number of COVID-19 tests processed in California has dropped by more than 30% in recent weeks.

Public health experts say the decline in testing makes sense — and is actually a good sign. The number of positive cases have steadily declined since the surge over the holidays, and test positivity rates are also way down.

“It is very reasonable that with fewer people who are sick, having symptoms, [and] being exposed, that fewer people are going to get tested,” said Sara Bosse, public health director in Madera County.

From Jan. 10 to 16, labs across the state processed nearly 2.3 million tests. From Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, labs processed just over 1.5 million.

The California Department of Public Health says the decline reflects a national trend.

The state’s 14-day positivity rate hit 14% in early January. It’s since dropped to under 4%.

“If the testing numbers were going down but the positive rate was going up, it would be a sign that we are not doing enough testing,” said Kat DeBurgh, executive director of the Health Officers Association of California.

Testing was down across the board — at commercial labs, medical facilities and public health labs, according to data compiled by the California Department of Public Health.

Public health experts also suggested that testing sites shifting to vaccines may also be a factor.

But they add it’ll be important for the state to maintain its diagnostic capacity. Testing will be an important part of reopening the economy, and it’s possible California could see future surges.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about Coronavirus

  • NIAID-RML via AP

    Coronavirus In California: Latest Updates And Resources

    The coronavirus has impacted nearly every aspect of life in California and around the world. Here are resources and all our coverage at CapRadio and NPR.
  • Health Care
  •  

 Coronavirus

Scott Rodd

State Government Reporter

Scott Rodd previously covered government and legal affairs for the Sacramento Business Journal. Prior to the Business Journal, Scott worked as a freelance reporter in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.  Read Full Bio 

 @SRodd_CPR Email Scott Rodd

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2021, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.