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COVID-19 Testing Positivity Rates

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Week of July 10th, 2022

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GS Labs COVID-19 Positivity Rates

Throughout the week of Sunday, July 10 to Saturday, July 16, 2022, GS Labs testing saw an average positivity rate of 21% across six states. This is a decreased level from the previous week by 1%. For the week starting July 10, 2022, the highest state positivity rate was 29% in Missouri. The lowest rate was in Oregon with 15% positivity. All other states varied with their results for positivity for this week.

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Over Average Index:

The average positivity rate is 21% across all locations. Half of the states had more than 20% positivity rates with COVID-19 Rapid Antigen tests conducted by GS Labs. The other half of the states had less than 20% positivity.  Here are the following state’s positivity rates for this week:

  • Missouri had a COVID Positivity Rate of 29%
  • Nebraska had a COVID Positivity Rate of 27%
  • Minnesota had a COVID Positivity Rate of 21%
  • Iowa & Washington had a COVID positivity rate of 19%
  • Oregon had a COVID positivity rate of 15%

Find the GS Labs Rapid COVID-19 Testing location closest to you for quick, safe, and reliable testing.

Breakdown of States By COVID-19 Positivity Rates:

Below is a graph of COVID-19 positivity rates across GS Labs locations.

COVID-19 Positivity Rates for Week of 07/10

For journalists, media outlets, or others looking to source GS Labs positivity rates, please contact david@leibowitzsolo.com for written approval.

Note: Most private and government organizations have stopped publishing positivity rates due to the increased use of At-Home COVID-19 tests. GS Labs is providing positivity rates specifically on antigen tests conducted by our trained staff across the locations we operate in. 

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COVID-19 Testing Positivity Rates

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Week of July 3rd, 2022

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GS Labs COVID-19 Positivity Rates

Throughout the week of Sunday, July 3 to Saturday, July 9, 2022, GS Labs testing saw an average positivity rate of 22% across eight states, a sustained level from the previous week. For the week starting July 3, 2022, the highest state positivity rate was 32% with one other state over 30%. The lowest rates were in Washington & Oregon with 18% and 17% positivity, respectfully. All other states were over 20% positivity for this week.

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Over Average Index:

The average positivity rate of 22% across all locations. Excluding 2 states, all others had more than 20% positivity rates with COVID-19 Rapid Antigen tests conducted by GS Labs. The following states have seen a COVID-19 antigen test positivity rate higher or equal to 30% or an increase over the previous week:

  • Nebraska had a COVID Positivity Rate of 32%, a 6% increase over the week prior.
  • Iowa had a COVID positivity rate of 30%, a 4% increase over the week prior.
  • Minnesota had a COVID positivity rate of 22%, which has increased two consecutive weeks in a row.

Find the GS Labs Rapid COVID-19 Testing location closest to you for quick, safe, and reliable testing.

Breakdown of States By COVID-19 Positivity Rates:

Below is a graph of COVID-19 positivity rates across GS Labs locations.

COVID Positivity Rates By State

For journalists, media outlets, or others looking to source GS Labs positivity rates, please contact david@leibowitzsolo.com for written approval.

Note: Most private and government organizations have stopped publishing positivity rates due to the increased use of At-Home COVID-19 tests. GS Labs is providing positivity rates specifically on antigen tests conducted by our trained staff across the locations we operate in. 

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COVID-19 Testing Positivity Rates

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Week of June 26th, 2022

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GS Labs COVID-19 Positivity Rates

Throughout the week of Sunday, June 26 to Saturday, July 22, 2022, GS Labs testing saw an average positivity rate of 22% across eight states and nearly 4,000 rapid antigen tests. For the week starting June 26, 2022, the highest state positivity rate was 26% within four states. The lowest rates were in Washington & New Jersey with 20% positivity. No states were under 20% positivity for this week.

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Over Average Index:

The average positivity rate of 22% across all locations. Excluding 2 states, all others had more than 20% positivity rates with COVID-19 Rapid Antigen tests conducted by GS Labs. The following states have seen a COVID-19 antigen test positivity rate higher or equal to 20%:

  • Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa & Colorado had a COVID Positivity Rate of 26%.
  • Oregon & Minnesota had a COVID positivity rate of 21%
  • Washington & New Jersey had a COVID positivity rate of 20%

Find the GS Labs Rapid COVID-19 Testing location closest to you for quick, safe, and reliable testing.

Breakdown of States By COVID-19 Positivity Rates:

Below is a graph of COVID-19 positivity rates across GS Labs locations.

Positivity Rates of June 26- July 2

For journalists, media outlets, or others looking to source GS Labs positivity rates, please contact david@leibowitzsolo.com for written approval.

Note: Most private and government organizations have stopped publishing positivity rates due to the increased use of At-Home COVID-19 tests. GS Labs is providing positivity rates specifically on antigen tests conducted by our trained staff across the locations we operate in. 

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GS Labs Countersues Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota:  Federal Court Filing Accuses Insurer of Antitrust Violations, Conspiring With Cartel of BCBS Affiliates, Violating CARES ACT, False Advertising and Consumer Fraud

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:                                                                            

David Leibowitz

david@leibowitzsolo.com

602-317-1414

BCBS of MN’s Anti-Competitive Actions Risk Minnesotans’ Lives During Pandemic By Creating Illegal Barriers To COVID-19 Testing

Minneapolis – GS Labs, a leading provider of COVID-19 rapid tests in Minnesota and across the nation has filed new counterclaims in the company’s ongoing legal battle against multi-billion-dollar insurance giant Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota.

The June 29th filing in U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota flatly denies all prior allegations made by BCBS of Minnesota against GS Labs. GS Labs has also alleged 21 counterclaims against BCBS of Minnesota detailing a scheme to harm competition in violation of the federal antitrust laws, resulting in COVID testing shortages in Minnesota, by conspiring with other Blue insurance companies in a cartel to fix prices and illegally boycott quality testing labs.  The countercomplaint also sets forth factual allegations showing that BCBS of Minnesota committed consumer fraud by misleading Minnesotans in need of COVID testing, tortiously interfered with GS Labs’ business relationships, and violated the CARES Act by refusing to reimburse GS Labs for thousands of COVID tests for its insureds.

In October 2020, BCBS of Minnesota and its affiliate Blues agreed to pay $2.67 billion to settle a class action alleging collusion among the Blue affiliates in violation of federal antitrust laws. That settlement agreement included operational changes meant to enhance competition among Blue insurers. However, BCBS of Minnesota’s conduct raises new concerns that it and its sisters Blues continue to engage in anticompetitive behavior.

“Throughout the pandemic, GS Labs has been there to provide fast and accurate testing for more than 300,000 Minnesotans,” said Jen Rae Wang, a representative for the company. “While insurance companies across the U.S. have paid GS Labs for these services, BCBS of Minnesota has colluded with other Blues to suppress testing, boycott GS Labs, and price-fix across the state and the nation. That anti-competitive act of greed has made it harder for residents to get critical medical information and has dangerously impacted public health.”

The filling alleges that BCBS of Minnesota, “joined forces with other BCBS affiliates to exchange competitively sensitive information and fix the purchase price of COVID-19 diagnostic testing services at unsustainable cut-rates, and to boycott providers like GS Labs that do not accede to the BCBS cartel’s fiat prices.” The countersuit additionally details how the Blues worked together through the BCBS Association and their joint participation in the American Health Insurance Plans (“AHIP”), a national trade association for health insurance companies which counts among its Board of Directors eight members who are senior executives of BCBS affiliates.

The filing describes BCBS’s, “concerted and willful actions to exclude and suppress output and reduce the quality of testing capacity by fixing prices, engaging in a boycott to withhold reimbursement, and spreading disinformation to steer subscribers away from GS Labs takes Minnesota in the opposite direction, harming competition, consumers, and GS Labs in the process. In other words, the reason for the long lines and broken testing regime is Blue Cross.”

“The countersuit demonstrates Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s greed and deception amidst a massive public health emergency,” said Wang. “BCBS of Minnesota has violated the law, deceived Minnesota residents, and banded together with other Blues to spike profits and suppress testing capacity at the expense of their members and the public’s health. These disgraceful, unethical and illegal actions should never be tolerated.”

David Leibowitz, a GS Labs spokesperson, also highlighted an irony regarding BCBS’ original lawsuit against GS Labs: On the very day that BCBS of Minnesota sued GS Labs for fraud and abuse, it also extended an invitation to GS Labs to become an in-network participating provider.

“Only a mega-billion-dollar insurance company would sue for fraud a legitimate testing business that’s helped over one million people with life-saving medical information, then in the same breath ask that provider to become an in-network partner,” said Leibowitz. “Apparently, BCBS of Minnesota would have been all too happy to work with GS Labs, but only at cut-rate price that would have bankrupted the provider while the insurance company got fatter and happier.”

The CARES Act makes clear that insurance carriers must pay for COVID-19 testing for insured members. Section 3202(a) states: “If the health plan or issuer does not have a negotiated rate with such provider, such plan or issuer shall reimburse the provider in an amount that equals the cash price for such service as listed by the provider on a public internet website, or such plan or issuer may negotiate a rate with such provider for less than such cash price.”

GS Labs is seeking full payment for unpaid bills that currently total tens of millions of dollars, plus legal fees, investigative fees and compensation for lost goodwill. The company also seeks three times the actual damages for each of Blue Cross’ antitrust violations, together with costs and disbursements, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, compensatory damages, interest and legal fees.

“The BCBS buyers’ cartel for COVID-19 diagnostic testing has obtained its intended and predictable effect: namely, depressed reimbursements rates for COVID-19 diagnostic services provided by GS Labs have boosted Blue Cross’ profits,” the counterclaim explains. “The victims of this scam, however, are the suppliers of the testing who stood ready to provide additional output in order to alleviate national shortage, as well the pubic and patients who suffered severe documented testing shortages.”

GS Labs began offering COVID-19 rapid tests in October 2020. Many communities directly requested assistance from GS Labs, due to a lack of testing resources. By keeping testing centers open 12 hours a day during the height of the pandemic – and paying above-market salaries to hire experienced registered nurses and other medical professionals – GS Labs to date has safely and effectively tested more than 1.3 million Americans.

 

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COVID-19 Testing Positivity Rates

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Week of June 19th, 2022

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GS Labs COVID-19 Positivity Rates

Throughout the week of Sunday, June 19 to Saturday, June 25, 2022, GS Labs testing saw an average positivity rate of 21% across eight states and nearly 4,000 rapid antigen tests. For the week starting June 19, 2022, the highest state positivity rate was Nebraska with 33% and the lowest was New Jersey with 13% positivity. Minnesota was the only other state under 20% positivity for this week, with a 19% COVID-19 positivity rate.

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Over Average Index:

The average positivity rate of 21% across all locations. Excluding 2 states, all others  had more than 20% positivity rates with COVID-19 Rapid Antigen tests conducted by GS Labs and one location had over 30% positivity. The following states have seen a COVID-19 antigen test positivity rate higher than average:

  • Nebraska with a COVID Positivity Rate of 33% – a 1% increase over the prior week.
  • Missouri with a COVID positivity rate of 25%
  • Colorado with a COVID positivity rate of 21%
  • Iowa with a COVID positivity rate of 21%
  • Washington with a COVID positivity rate of 21%
  • Oregon with a COVID positivity rate of 21%

Find the GS Labs Rapid COVID-19 Testing location closest to you for quick, safe, and reliable testing.

Breakdown of States By COVID-19 Positivity Rates:

Below is a graph of COVID-19 positivity rates across GS Labs locations.

COVID 19 Positivity 6.19 COVID-19 Testing

For journalists, media outlets, or others looking to source GS Labs positivity rates, please contact david@leibowitzsolo.com for written approval.

Note: Most private and government organizations have stopped publishing positivity rates due to the increased use of At-Home COVID-19 tests. GS Labs is providing positivity rates specifically on antigen tests conducted by our trained staff across the locations we operate in. 

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As COVID-19 Surges in Washington, National Testing Lab Continues to Administer Professional COVID Tests For Multiple Purposes

At-Home Testing Has Become Popular, But May Not Be Completely Accurate; Travel, Work-Related Needs Drive Test Seekers To Get Professionally Administered Tests  

SEATTLE – As COVID-19 positivity rates again increase across the U.S. and the State of Washington and the White House shifts at-home tests funding to instead support vaccines and treatments, national testing provider GS Labs continues to test hundreds of patients daily who are seeking out professionally administered COVID-19 tests. With at-home rapid tests widely available on store shelves or by mail, what’s driving these patients to come to a private laboratory?

Four reasons, says Dr. Darin Jackson, GS Labs medical director: The peace of mind that comes from having a professional handle a medical test; to confirm a negative COVID-19 rapid test for patients who display symptoms of COVID-19; proof of positive COVID-19 status acceptable to employers; and proof of negative COVID-19 status required for travel to certain destinations.

“There’s absolutely a sense of COVID-19 fatigue out there for a lot of people – but not for everyone,” says Jackson. “People with high-risk family members or people who are at-risk themselves and show symptoms of COVID continue to come to us because they want the most accurate test results possible. There’s a lot of research on at-home testing now, and while the tests are accurate, they don’t quite measure up to professionally administered tests performed and analyzed by a laboratory. Additionally, results from at-home testing results are not being reported.”

In accordance with CDC protocols, it is standard practice for symptomatic patients who received a negative rapid antigen test to next to be tested via a PCR test. This “confirmatory PCR” identifies individuals who received a negative rapid antigen test result but are in fact positive for COVID. Recent confirmatory PCR results show that 15% of symptomatic GS Labs patients who received a negative test result by the rapid antigen test are actually positive. Together, this highlights the personal and public health necessity for follow-up PCR testing when a rapid antigen is negative.

Workplace and travel needs are also driving private tests, says Jackson, who notes that in Washington, about 25 percent of the state over age 5 is not fully vaccinated against COVID.

“In Washington, there’s still about 1.9 million residents over age 5 who haven’t been fully vaccinated,” says Jackson, noting that net number will grow given recent FDA approval for vaccines for ages 6 months and older. “We’re giving tests to people whose employers require a professional positive test in order for PTO purposes or to reimburse the employees for various items. Also, it’s important to note that many countries – including Canada – still require proof of full vaccination or a professionally administered negative COVID test from travelers seeking to enter the country.”

The U.S. State Department website keeps a worldwide list of travel entrance requirements: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/COVID-19-Country-Specific-Information.html

In Washington, GS Labs’ weekly patient positivity rate began climbing in mid-April, from just over 2% to a sustained rate of more than 18% during the prior five weeks. This mirrors results from GS Labs’ nationwide lab network, where the most recent seven-day rolling positivity rate is 20% – approaching its highest-ever positivity rate of 23%, which was recorded during the Omicron peak.

“Fortunately, we continue to have ample tests and appointments for patients who need them,” says Dr. Jackson. “Our commitment to convenient and accessible testing remains unchanged, as does our top priority: providing critical health information to individuals across Washington state and beyond.”

Lab testing capacity and availability remains strong at GS Labs, which operates five Washington-state testing sites: Bellevue, Federal Way, Lynnwood, Seattle and Vancouver. GS Labs’ state-of-the-art custom technology platform is built to serve as many as 1,000 patients per day at each location. GS Labs’ digital platform allows patients to book within 15 minutes of their proposed appointment and to receive accurate rapid results in as little as 20 minutes after the completion of a rapid antigen test. Appointments for all tests must be made online prior to arrival at https://gslabstesting.com/.

Two tests are fully covered by insurance in the event the patient is experiencing symptoms or has had a recent exposure: a rapid antigen test for $179 – which typically returns results as quickly as 20 minutes – and a PCR test for $229 that returns results in 2 to 5 days. Both tests have no out-of-pocket cost with accepted insurance.

Additionally, GS Labs offers rapid PCR-NAAT and PCR-LAMP tests for $299 each, with results typically returned in about two hours. These tests, ideal for travel or screening testing, are available with cash payment only. Travel destinations may have different, specific testing requirements, so customers are urged to research which test is required before booking an appointment. A combination rapid antigen COVID and flu test is available for $199, also with cash payment only.

Since it began offering testing, GS Labs has tested more than 1.3 million patients across the country. To date, GS Labs has identified more than 230,000 patients positive for COVID-19. Headquartered in Omaha, GS Labs entered the COVID-19 testing space as the pandemic initially swept through Nebraska and the Midwest. At the time, loved ones and friends of the company’s partners could not find COVID-19 tests anywhere after being exposed to the coronavirus. From that initial location, the company has expanded across the U.S.; its current footprint includes more than a dozen locations in eight states.

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COVID-19 Testing Positivity Rates

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Week of June 12th, 2022

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GS Labs COVID-19 Positivity Rates

Throughout the week of Sunday, June 12 to Saturday, June 18, 2022, GS Labs testing saw an average positivity rate of 21% across eight states and nearly 4,000 rapid antigen tests. For the week starting June 12, 2022, the highest state positivity rate was Nebraska with 32% and the lowest was Washington and Oregon with 18% positivity. Washington and Oregon were the only states under 20% positivity for this week.

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Over Average Index:

The average positivity rate of 21% across all locations. Excluding 2 states, all others were equal to or had more than 20% positivity rates with COVID-19 Rapid Antigen tests conducted by GS Labs. The following states have seen a COVID-19 antigen test positivity rate higher than average:

  • Nebraska with a COVID Positivity Rate of 32%
  • New Jersey with a COVID Positivity Rate of 27%
  • Missouri & Minnesota with a COVID positivity rate of 26%
  • Colorado with a COVID positivity rate of 25%
  • Iowa with a COVID positivity rate of 24%

Find the GS Labs Rapid COVID-19 Testing location closest to you for quick, safe, and reliable testing.

Breakdown of States By COVID-19 Positivity Rates:

Below is a graph of COVID-19 positivity rates across GS Labs locations.

Positivity Rate for week of June 12th

For journalists, media outlets, or others looking to source GS Labs positivity rates, please contact david@leibowitzsolo.com for written approval.

Note: Most private and government organizations have stopped publishing positivity rates due to the increased use of At-Home COVID-19 tests. GS Labs is providing positivity rates specifically on antigen tests conducted by our trained staff across the locations we operate in. 

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COVID-19 Testing Positivity Rates

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Week of June 5th, 2022

GS Labs COVID-19 Positivity Rates

Throughout the week of Sunday, June 5 to Saturday, June 11, 2022, GS Labs testing saw an average positivity rate of 21% across nine states (a 1% decrease over the prior week) and nearly 4,000 rapid antigen tests. For the week starting June 5, 2022, the highest state positivity rate was Colorado with 32% and the lowest was New Jersey with 17% positivity. New Jersey and Minnesota were the only states under 20% positivity this week.

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Over Average Index:

The average positivity rate of 21% across all locations. Excluding 2 states, all others were equal to or had more than 20% positivity rates with COVID-19 Rapid Antigen tests conducted by GS Labs. The following states have seen a COVID-19 antigen test positivity rate higher than average:

  • Colorado with a COVID Positivity Rate of 32%
  • Utah with a COVID Positivity Rate of 31%
  • Iowa with a COVID positivity rate of 29%
  • Nebraska with a COVID positivity rate of 27%
  • Missouri with a COVID positivity rate of 24%
  • Oregon with a COVID positivity rate of 23%
  • Washington with a COVID positivity rate of 20%

Find the GS Labs Rapid COVID-19 Testing location closest to you for quick, safe, and reliable testing.

Breakdown of States By COVID-19 Positivity Rates:

Below is a graph of COVID-19 positivity rates across GS Labs locations.

COVID Positivity Rates June 5-11

For journalists, media outlets, or others looking to source GS Labs positivity rates, please contact david@leibowitzsolo.com for written approval.

Note: Most private and government organizations have stopped publishing positivity rates due to the increased use of At-Home COVID-19 tests. GS Labs is providing positivity rates specifically on antigen tests conducted by our trained staff across the locations we operate in. 

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COVID-19 Testing Positivity Rates

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Week of May 29, 2022

GS Labs COVID-19 Positivity Rates

Throughout the week of Sunday, May 29 to Saturday,  June 4, 2022, GS Labs testing saw an average positivity rate of 22% across ten states (a 1% increase over the prior week) and nearly 5,000 rapid antigen tests. For the week starting May 29, 2022, the highest state positivity rate was Iowa with 28% and the lowest was Massachusetts with 9% positivity, which was the only state under 10% positivity this week.

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Over Average Index:

The average positivity rate of 22% across all locations. Excluding 2 states, all others had or had more than 20% positivity rates with COVID-19 Rapid Antigen tests conducted by GS Labs. The following states have seen a COVID-19 antigen test positivity rate higher than average:

  • Iowa with a COVID Positivity Rate of 28%
  • Missouri with a COVID Positivity Rate of 25%
  • Colorado with a COVID positivity rate of 24%
  • Utah & New Jersey with a COVID positivity rate of 23%
  • Washington & Minnesota with a COVID positivity rate of 22%

Find the GS Labs Rapid COVID-19 Testing location closest to you for quick, safe, and reliable testing.

Breakdown of States By COVID-19 Positivity Rates:

Below is a graph of COVID-19 positivity rates across GS Labs locations.

IMAGE: graph of positivity rates for week of may 29 - june 4

For journalists, media outlets, or others looking to source GS Labs positivity rates, please contact david@leibowitzsolo.com for written approval.

Note: Most private and government organizations have stopped publishing positivity rates due to the increased use of At-Home COVID-19 tests. GS Labs is providing positivity rates specifically on antigen tests conducted by our trained staff across the locations we operate in. 

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COVID-19 Testing Positivity Rates

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Week of May 22, 2022

GS Labs COVID-19 Positivity Rates

Throughout the week of Sunday, May 22 to Saturday, May 28, 2022, GS Labs testing saw an average positivity rate of 21% across ten states (a 1% increase over the prior week) and more than 4,000 rapid antigen tests. For the week starting May 22, 2022, the highest state positivity rate was Utah with more than 30% and the lowest was Washington and New Jersey with 18% positivity, which is also the only two states under 20% positivity this week.

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Over Average Index:

The average positivity rate of 21% across all locations. Excluding 2 states, all others had more than 20% positivity rates with COVID-19 Rapid Antigen tests conducted by GS Labs. The following states have seen a COVID-19 antigen test positivity rate higher than average:

  • Massachusetts COVID Positivity Rate: 21%
  • Colorado COVID Positivity Rate: 21%
  • Missouri COVID positivity rate: 22%
  • Nebraska COVID positivity rate: 22%
  • Minnesota COVID positivity rate: 22%
  • Iowa COVID positivity rate: 22%
  • Oregon COVID positivity rate: 22%
  • Utah COVID positivity rate: 31%

Find the GS Labs Rapid COVID-19 Testing location closest to you for quick, safe, and reliable testing.

Breakdown of States By COVID-19 Positivity Rates:

Below is a graph of COVID-19 positivity rates across GS Labs locations.

Bar graph of covid positivity rates across states

For journalists, media outlets, or others looking to source GS Labs positivity rates, please contact david@leibowitzsolo.com for written approval.

Note: Most private and government organizations have stopped publishing positivity rates due to the increased use of At-Home COVID-19 tests. GS Labs is providing positivity rates specifically on antigen tests conducted by our trained staff across the locations we operate in.