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Coronavirus in Florida podcast: More testing is available, but are we doing it right?

“Most people that are tested are being tested because they feel sick,” Dr. Marc Yacht said. “That’s a very biased sample.”
 
On this show, we'll talk to experts and reporters, share the facts behind the spread of the virus and discuss what could happen next.
On this show, we'll talk to experts and reporters, share the facts behind the spread of the virus and discuss what could happen next. [ Eli Zhang ]
Published May 11, 2020

In the last two weeks, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties have widened testing for COVID-19.

Pinellas County opened up three testing sites to all residents last week, even people who don’t have symptoms. And the week before that, testing sites in Hillsborough County began allowing anyone who wanted to get tested to make an appointment at a drive-through site.

The widening of testing comes after months of limited availability, with a little more than 2 percent of Florida’s population having been tested for COVID-19.

For weeks, experts have said that more testing must be done to determine the scope of the problem. According to Dr. Marc Yacht, who served as the director of the Pasco County Health Department for 20 years, testing more people isn’t enough. He believes the way we are testing must evolve.

We don’t have a set schedule for the podcast, but we plan to publish more episodes in the coming weeks. You can listen to the latest episode by clicking the “play” button in the audio player above or by downloading it on your favorite podcast platform.

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