Third test ordered by county health officials
Scurry County Judge Dan Hicks issued the following press release shortly after today's issue of The Snyder News went to press.
"On the order and at the direction of the Local Health Authority, after consultation with the Scurry County Health Department and Cogdell Memorial Hospital, the 39 residents and staff of Snyder Oaks Care Center who were reported as testing positive for Covid-19, in the Statewide testing, were retested yesterday, June 2. The decision to initiate a second round of tests was made after the empirical data appeared to dramatically conflict with the state test results. Typically, with 39 positive results in a senior care facility, one would expect significant illness or exhibition of symptoms, however, there were no reports, or evidence, of symptoms present in those tested; either at the time of the test, 9 days ago, or since. The results of the second round of testing seems to have confirmed the suspicions that there were many false positives in the initial test. An explanation for the large number of false positives is unknown at this time.
"The results of the latest testing revealed 0 positive and 39 negative results, which is consistent with the empirical data and lack of symptoms in those tested.
"The Local Health Authority has relayed complete confidence in the protocol, administration and results of this second set of tests, which confidence is bolstered by the absence of symptoms and illness at the facility.
"Commendations and gratitude are extended to the Cogdell laboratory staff for their tireless work in procuring these results on an expedited timeline, the staff of the Scurry County Health Unit and the Local Health Authority, Dr. Bid Cooper, for their swift recognition that the initial results might be inaccurate and formulating a plan to retest the facility and, to the staff of Snyder Oaks Care Center for their cooperation and professionalism during this stressful event.
"To further confirm the second set of tests, another round of testing is underway today with results expected within the next 24-48 hours."