Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - Rapid COVID testing run by New York State continues throughout Western New York, and initial data shows a higher percentage of positive tests than what has been found elsewhere.
Governor Andrew Cuomo said that over 3% of people who received a rapid test from the state on Saturday tested positive. In Buffalo, the figure was 5.5%.
Sunday's numbers from the state show rapid testing results put the region at 2%. The eight rapid testing sites showed a 3.1% positive rate overall, with Buffalo at 4.8%, Erie County outside Buffalo 0.6%, Niagara County 4.0%, and Chautauqua County 1.4% from those sites.
But the numbers, and positivity rate, should not be considered as a reflection on the community as a whole.
"Keep in mind, when people do come in, most of them have a reason that they want to get tested. I don't have a lot of people just saying 'I'm just here because I want to get a test,'" said Dr. Joseph Chow, Medical Director at WNY Immediate Care, which offers COVID testing. "The reasons can range anywhere from 'I do have symptoms,' which certainly they do need to get a test... others are 'I'm going to go visit a sick relative,' or 'I just came back from vacation.' These are all important reasons and they should be able to get a test."
That means the percentage of positive tests is greater than the actual percentage of the population that has the virus.
"If you do random samples of people who may not have looked for testing, may have no symptoms, these numbers typically will go lower," Dr. Chow said. "The predictive value will increase (if you have a reason to be tested)."