“Doesn’t answer whether they count probables, repeat positives of the same patient, and whether or not the testing is accurate.”
I think their term “initial” deals with your “repeat positive” concern.
I believe the testing is primarily done for public health management purposes. Testing has problems and limits that you are probably substantially aware of. Testing is a tool. Tests are made by companies, not by DJT, JRB or me. Medical testing is federally regulated, for what that is worth.
Doctors use many tools such as x-rays to detect Covid damage in hospitalized patients.
The linked page also provided this information:
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Test
A PCR test looks for the viral genetic material (RNA) in the nose, throat, or other areas in the respiratory tract to determine if there is an active infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. A positive COVID-19 PCR test means that the person has an active COVID-19 infection.
Serology Test
A Serology test looks for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in the patient’s blood to determine if there has been an infection in the past. Antibodies are formed by the body to fight off infections. A positive antibody test means that the person was infected with COVID-19 in the past or recently and that their immune system developed antibodies to try to fight it off.
Antigen Test
(Not the same as an “antibody” test.) An Antigen test is for rapid detection of the virus that causes COVID-19. The test determines if a sample contains proteins found on the surface of the coronavirus, which allows much faster results. Antigen tests are very specific for the virus, but are not as sensitive as PCR tests, therefore negative antigen test results may need to be confirmed with a PCR test prior to making treatment decisions if the patient has concerning symptoms or potential exposures to COVID-19. Antigen tests are most commonly used for patients who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, therefore the percent positive rates are likely to be higher.
Almost everything you say is wrong.
Kary Mullis, who invented PCR (and got the NOBEL PRIZE for it), said it was never meant to be used as a diagnostic, but as a research tool, to amplify trace amounts of material in order to have a large enough amount to work on.
And PCR CANNOT distinguish between old and current viral material.
For the antibody test, it has been shown experimentally that people who were infected with the old SARS-CoV 1, have antibodies to the coof. So that’s out too.