SEATTLE — Washington state health officials say a mistake in how they’ve reported negative COVID-19 results caused them to report a lower percentage of positive tests than was actually occurring.
In a statement Wednesday the Department of Health said since April 21 it had been including negative antibody test results along with negative molecular test results in the total negative tests.
“Our intention was to only include molecular test results. This has incorrectly inflated our reporting of individuals who have tested negative for COVID-19,” the department said.
Molecular tests gauge whether a person has an active infection, while antibody tests help determine whether someone was exposed to coronavirus in the past.
After correcting for the error, health officials say the actual cumulative positive percentage for people tested in Washington state increased to 6.2% from 5.5%.
Also Wednesday the authorities said Grays Harbor County has been approved to move into Phase 3 of easing of Gov. Jay Inslee’s coronavirus restrictions. Authorities say there are now three counties in Phase 1, three counties are in a modified version of Phase 1, 21 counties in Phase 2 and 12 counties in Phase 3.
The three counties that remain in Phase 1 — Benton, Franklin and Yakima — are only allowed to have essential businesses to be open and limit restaurant service to takeout and delivery and limited outdoor recreation.
King County– the state’s largest and home to Seattle — was recently approved to move to a modified Phase 1 and will now allow all outdoor recreation permitted in Phase 2, expand opening indoor fitness studios for one-on-one activities, allow restaurants to begin opening indoor seating at 25% of normal capacity and allow hair stylists and other personal services at 25% capacity. Two other counties — Chelan and Douglas — are also in a modified Phase 1 of reopening.
More than 26,500 people in Washington state have tested positive for the virus and at least 1,231 have died. The virus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients, and the vast majority recover. But it is highly contagious and can cause severe illness and death in some patients, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.
