A large amount of data about the coronavirus has accumulated during the last several months. These data show the coronavirus positive tests increasing. Trump insists that the rising number of Coronavirus cases in the United States results from increased testing capacity. He insists that performing a larger number tests will result in a larger number of positive test results.
Unfortunately, this is a lie.
And there is data to prove it.
The data comes from the widely used and referenced Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center. This data source is The COVID Tracking Project.
Without a doubt, anyone looking at the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus page will see exactly what the data show. Below is an image of the specific chart to which I refer. It shows the coronavirus positive tests increasing recently.
From roughly April 26 through June 7, the number of tests conducted each week increased (light beige bars). At the same time, the average percentage of those tests that were positive was going down (blue line). However, as the number of tests has risen, the percentage of positive tests has recently started to rise.
One can select specific states’ data from the graph. For example, Florida data shows the percentage of positive test results going up. In Michigan, the percentage has stayed almost flat.
Overall, in the United States, the data shows that the positivity rate — the percentage of positive tests (number of positives for every 100 tests conducted week over week) — has started increasing in recent weeks.
Credibility of the COVID Tracking Project
According to the COVID Tracking Project, “Johns Hopkins relies on the COVID Tracking Project testing data for its COVID-19 Testing Insights Initiative, which brings data and expert analysis together in one place. The initiative is designed to help policymakers and the public understand the trajectory of the pandemic, and make decisions about the path forward.”
Additionally, the White House chose the COVID Tracking Project as the best source to cite for daily US test numbers in its “Opening Up America Again” testing strategy.
