Data Note: Key Updates from the Health Center COVID-19 Survey (Week #16): Two in Three Community Health Centers Experience Long Waits for COVID-19 Test Results, with Average Turn-Around Times Exceeding the Department of Health and Human Services Standard

A new data note summarizes and analyzes survey data collected by HRSA, as reported for July 17, 2020. Among the key findings:

Community health centers have tested more than 2.06 million patients for the COVID-19 infection since reporting began in April, and 278,991 health center patients have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, accounting for an estimated one in 13 (7.6 percent) of all COVID-19 cases nationally.
Two in three (66 percent) health centers reported turn-around times for viral test results of four or more days, including 44 percent that reported turn-around times averaging of more than five days.
Only one in three (34 percent) reported average turn-around times that met the standard set by the Department of Health and Human Services of up to three days.
More than half (51 percent) of look-alike health centers reported average waiting times for test results of four days or more.

The number of patients tested for COVID-19 was at its highest-ever level this past week (231,535). The prolonged time to obtain test results aligns with recent reports of extensive delays across the country due to increased demand for testing, and result in both delayed care and greater spread.

The data note was produced by the Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative.
Download the data note here.

Data Note: Key Updates from the Health Center COVID-19 Survey (Week #16): Two in Three Community Health Centers Experience Long Waits for COVID-19 Test Results, with Average Turn-Around Times Exceeding the Department of Health and Human Services Standard.