CHARTS: What is the coronavirus positivity rate in Texas?

FILE - In this March 3, 2020, file photo, Hawaii state Department of Health microbiologist Mark Nagata demonstrates the process for testing a sample for coronavirus at the department's laboratory in Pearl City, Hawaii. An Associated Press analysis shows that some of the least-populated states, such as Hawaii, with relatively few coronavirus cases received an out-sized proportion of the $150 billion in federal money that was designed to address virus-related expenses. (AP Photo/Audrey McAvoy, File) (Audrey Mcavoy, AP)

HOUSTON – As coronavirus testing continues in Texas, some have wondered how the number of tests being performed compares to the number of cases reported in the state.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, more than 41 million tests were performed in the state since the pandemic began. More than 3 million cases of coronavirus have been reported in the state. That works out to an overall positivity rate of about 8.26% as of March 2 The first chart below shows that data.

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On Dec. 11, DSHS once again changed the way that the positivity rate for the state is calculated. The new method splits the positivity rate by the types of tests -- molecular or antigen -- that are being performed and bases the rate on the date the sample for the test was collected. This means that the rate for any particular day could change based on when a test sample was collected. As of March 2, the molecular positivity rate was 4.81% and the antigen positivity rate was 2.24%.

RELATED: These charts track the number of Houston-area coronavirus cases, recoveries and deaths each day

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has said specialized strike teams will be used to help control any outbreaks of the coronavirus that happen as the state’s economy reopens.

Harris County leads the state in the number of coronavirus cases being reported at more than 954,000.

Clarification:

This story was updated on June 17, 2020, to only include results from viral tests. Antibody test numbers are now excluded from the positivity rate calculation.


About the Author:

Aaron Barker has been a senior digital editor at KPRC 2 since 2016. As a meteorologist, he specializes in stories about the weather. He has covered Hurricane Harvey, the Astros first World Series win, the Santa Fe High School shooting, the ITC fire and Tropical Storm Imelda.