• Madison County Record
    • Madison Living
    • Living 50 Plus
    • Explore
    • Classifieds
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • E-editions
    • Contact Us
    • Services
      • About Us
      • List of Locations
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Madison County Record
    • Madison Living
    • Living 50 Plus
    • Explore
    • Classifieds
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • E-editions
    • Contact Us
    • Services
      • About Us
      • List of Locations
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor

Hartselle Enquirer
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Obits
  • Opinion
  • Public Records
  • Madison County Record
  • Madison Living Magazine
  • Classifieds
  • Public Notices
  • Contact Us
  • Services
  • About Us
  • List of Locations
  • Subscribe
  • Policies
  • Terms of use
  • Submit a News Tip
  • Submit a Photo
  • Birth Announcement
  • Engagement Announcement
  • Wedding Announcement
  • Submit a Classified Ad
  • Letter to the Editor
    Hartselle Enquirer
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Schools
      • Opinion
      • Events
      • Lifestyles
      • Business
      • Records
      • Special Sections
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Schools
      • Opinion
      • Events
      • Lifestyles
      • Business
      • Records
      • Special Sections
    COVID-19 case numbers likely underreported to ADPH
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, RSS Twitter, Z - News Main
     By  John Few Published 
    10:35 am Friday, September 25, 2020

    COVID-19 case numbers likely underreported to ADPH

    Alabama health officials say COVID-19 is likely being under-reported, due to false negatives for rapid tests, health care providers not reporting cases to the state, and people avoiding testing because they don’t want to be placed in isolation or quarantine.

    “I’m not saying this to be frightening, but the numbers are probably underestimated,” Judy Smith, public health administrator for the Alabama Department of Public Health Northern District, said this week.

    While many health care providers continue to offer lab-evaluated COVID-19 tests, Smith said point-of-care tests that yield results in as few as 15 minutes have become more popular in recent months.

    “A lot of those are not getting reported to the state,” Smith said at a news conference.

    Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Karen Landers on Thursday said while major labs running COVID-19 tests have mechanisms in place for reporting test results, and hospitals are familiar with reporting procedures, some urgent care clinics and pharmacies running rapid tests are not reporting their test results.

    “Some entities have not ever been accustomed to reporting those notifiable diseases to the health department because it was not something that they did,” Landers said.

    Landers said the ADPH is working with health care providers to remind them of reporting requirements. She said both positive and negative test results are essential information so the ADPH can accurately report the percentage of tests that are positive.

    ADPH needs to know of positive test results not just to determine trends, but to initiate contact tracing and quarantines.

    Huntsville Hospital Urgent Care spokeswoman Amy Thomas said all of its clinics send daily reports to the ADPH, including both positive and negative cases of COVID-19.

    “As of recent, reporting counts were only required for positive tests …. As requested by ADPH, we will now also be reporting negative test counts,” she said.

    —

    False negatives

    Smith said about 20% of rapid tests that come back negative are actually positive. As a result, Landers said negative rapid test results often need to be investigated further to rule out COVID-19. However, false positives are rare.

    “If it’s positive, it’s positive,” Landers said.

    Landers said some false negatives come from individuals getting tested too early, since COVID-19 may not show up on a test until a few days after someone is exposed to the virus. This issue can occur regardless of the type of test used.

    “You really cannot test yourself out of quarantine. If you are in contact with someone, and go ahead and get a test the next day, that’s really not going to be very useful,” she said.

    Landers said close contacts of someone with COVID-19 should be tested between the fourth and seventh day after contact.

    Smith said some people are not getting tested, despite having symptoms or being exposed to the virus, because they don’t want to miss sports, school or work.

    “Is it worth it for the long-range price? I can tell you up front, you ask the folks in the hospital and they’ll tell you up front, ‘No, it’s not worth it,’” Smith said. “You certainly don’t want to be a person who creates that problem so that somebody else does have to suffer like that.”

    While new cases per day have remained relatively flat in Madison county, cases in Limestone are trending upward. Limestone County experienced its largest number of reported new cases — 30 — in almost seven weeks Thursday. There was also one reported death from Limestone County.

    As of Thursday, Madison Hospital had 13 confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients, including five in intensive care and one on a ventilator. Athens-Limestone Hospital had 11 confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients Thursday, including four in intensive care and one on a ventilator. Huntsville Hospital and the Women’s and Children’s Center reported 65 patients confirmed and suspected of having COVID-19. They have 12 in the ICU and seven on ventilators.

    Also on The Madison Record
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Madison County Record, News, Sports, ...
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Bob Labbe 
    July 2, 2025
    Editor’s note: Former Major League Baseball superstar Jose Canseco spoke exclusively with Bob Labbe of the Madison Record about the former All-Star’s ...
    Journey Middle agrees on Chelsea Young as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Journey Middle agrees on Chelsea Young as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    Gregg Parker 
    June 25, 2025
    MADISON – When Chelsea Young moved to Madison in 2016, Madison City Schools held “a reputation for academic excellence and for one of the best distric...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Columbia recognizes Annabel Richter as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Columbia recognizes Annabel Richter as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    Gregg Parker 
    June 25, 2025
    MADISON – Annabel Richter’s work can confirm that a student has a solid path to a well-rounded education. Columbia Elementary School’s faculty and sta...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    ‘Because of Jesus’ summer camp nurtures 130 youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Summer camp
    ‘Because of Jesus’ summer camp nurtures 130 youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
    Gregg Parker 
    June 25, 2025
    MADISON - A local church’s special event connected on a personal level with 130-plus children who celebrated faith and friendship. Starting summer in ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Little Booths Market Day to premiere for young retailers
    Living, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
    Little Booths Market Day to premiere for young retailers
    Downtown event to premiere in July for young entrepreneurs
    Gregg Parker 
    June 25, 2025
    MADISON – A special event for young, aspiring entrepreneurs and vendors will debut with Little Booths Market Day on July 12. Little Booths Market Day ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    TARCOG asks for input on services that benefit senior citizens
    Living, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
    TARCOG asks for input on services that benefit senior citizens
    Gregg Parker 
    June 25, 2025
    HUNTSVILLE - Top of Alabama Regional Council of Government or TARCOG wants your input. Affiliated with TARCOG, the Area Agency on Aging is conducting ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Heart of the Valley YMCA hires Rob Gray as president
    Living, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
    Heart of the Valley YMCA hires Rob Gray as president
    gregg@themadisonrecord.com 
    June 25, 2025
    By GREGG PARKER MADISON COUNTY -- Heart of the Valley YMCA has appointed a new president to lead the organization. Rob Gray has accepted the position ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    Madison County Record, News, Sports, ...
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    Bob Labbe 
    June 18, 2025
    MADISON- The Rocket City Trash Pandas has made a series of player moves including Mitch Daly. The Bob Jones High graduate and only local player to sui...

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    ❮ ❯
    Get Legals or Public Notices Published
    Latest Local News
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Editor’s note: Former Major League Baseball superstar Jose Canseco spoke exclusively with Bob Labbe of the Madison Record about the former All-Star’s ...
    July 2, 2025
    Journey Middle agrees on Chelsea Young as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    Journey Middle agrees on Chelsea Young as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    MADISON – When Chelsea Young moved to Madison in 2016, Madison City Schools held “a reputation for academic excellence and for one of the best distric...
    June 25, 2025
    Columbia recognizes Annabel Richter as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    Columbia recognizes Annabel Richter as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    MADISON – Annabel Richter’s work can confirm that a student has a solid path to a well-rounded education. Columbia Elementary School’s faculty and sta...
    June 25, 2025
    ‘Because of Jesus’ summer camp nurtures 130 youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
    ‘Because of Jesus’ summer camp nurtures 130 youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
    MADISON - A local church’s special event connected on a personal level with 130-plus children who celebrated faith and friendship. Starting summer in ...
    June 25, 2025
    Little Booths Market Day to premiere for young retailers
    Little Booths Market Day to premiere for young retailers
    MADISON – A special event for young, aspiring entrepreneurs and vendors will debut with Little Booths Market Day on July 12. Little Booths Market Day ...
    June 25, 2025

    More Local News

    Our Latest E-edition
    Read the most recent edition
    Latest Stories
    School leaders urge parents for feedback about rezoning
    School leaders urge parents for feedback about rezoning
    MADISON – With their continuous honors, Madison City Schools students have proven their mastery of the ‘three Rs – Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic.’ H...
    June 18, 2025
    MVP urges everyone to turn out for ‘Big Weekend of Service’
    MVP urges everyone to turn out for ‘Big Weekend of Service’
    MADISON – Madison Visionary Partners or MVP invites all ages, backgrounds and aptitudes to join hometown volunteer forces during the Big Weekend of Se...
    June 18, 2025
    For 6th year, Matt Curtis Real Estate named no. 1 in state
    For 6th year, Matt Curtis Real Estate named no. 1 in state
    HUNTSVILLE - For the sixth consecutive year, Matt Curtis Real Estate has been ranked as the no. 1 real estate team in Alabama. In addition, this team ...
    June 18, 2025
    Bob Jones student wins in NYC challenge for musical theatre
    Bob Jones student wins in NYC challenge for musical theatre
    MADISON – For his talent in composition, Karsten Wallace of Madison is a winner in the 2024-2025 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School...
    June 18, 2025
    Liberty student among finalists in National Science Bee
    Liberty student among finalists in National Science Bee
    MADISON – His solid, technical background earned Ryan Ranjan a top place in the 2025 National Science Bee, organized by International Academic Competi...
    June 18, 2025
    poll
    Latest Sports
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Editor’s note: Former Major League Baseball superstar Jose Canseco spoke exclusively with Bob Labbe of the Madison Record about the former All-Star’s ...
    July 2, 2025
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    MADISON- The Rocket City Trash Pandas has made a series of player moves including Mitch Daly. The Bob Jones High graduate and only local player to sui...
    June 18, 2025
    Daly returns home to play for Trash Pandas
    Daly returns home to play for Trash Pandas
    MADISON - Since birth, Mitch Daly has always been on the move as his father, Ed, is a four-star general in the U.S. Army causing him to pack up his wi...
    May 26, 2025
    Thousands expected for Memorial Day’s Cotton Row Run
    Thousands expected for Memorial Day’s Cotton Row Run
    HUNTSVILLE - The Cotton Row Run is a community event. The annual Memorial Day extravaganza, held in downtown Huntsville, again this year will attract ...
    May 20, 2025
    Madison Academy girls surge into soccer finals
    Madison Academy girls surge into soccer finals
    HUNTSVILLE – Madison Academy entered the state soccer tournament scoreless in three previous games at John Hunt Park, including against Donoho last se...
    May 9, 2025

    More Sports Stories

    x

    Sections

    • Home
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Lifestyles
    • Obits
    • Business
    • Sponsored Content
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Opinion
      • Lifestyles
      • Obits
      • Business
      • Sponsored Content

    Other Publications

    Madison Living Logo Living 50 Plus Logo

    Services

    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise With Us
    • Policies
    • Terms of use
    • Submit a news tip
    • Submit a photo
    • Birth announcement
    • Birthday announcement
    • Engagement announcement
    • Wedding announcement
    • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Advertise With Us
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter

    Follow Us

    Copyright

    © , The Madison Record