Previously released data for pediatric positivity rate is wrong, state says

The state is revising the number of pediatric cases previously released.

State data showed the pediatric positivity rate for the week of July 10 was 31.1%, which made headlines across the nation.

However, the Florida Department of Health now says negative pediatric test results were unintentionally excluded from that week’s report due to a “coding error,” and the positivity rate was actually 12.2%.

As of Tuesday, more than 258,000 children had been tested for COVID-19 in Florida. More than 38,000 have tested positive, bringing the positivity rate to about 15%.

State-supported COVID-19 testing sites, like the one at the Orange County Convention Center, are now prioritizing testing for people with symptoms including children. It’s a different lane where you swab yourself.

If you don’t have symptoms, you can still be tested at state-run sites, but you must be at least 18 years old.

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