What do the numbers mean?

This step marks the last part of this Activity. In this video, Dr Angus Campbell considers some key concepts that influence how we interpret test results. We will use the ideas in the video to round off our thinking about where COVID-19 came from and what it looks like—in people—by understanding what the testing results might be telling us about where the virus is in the population.

After watching this video, think about how you interpret test statistics when they are reported, for example in the media.

What criteria do you use to help you understand what the test statistics mean?

Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.

In the next Activity, we’ll discuss the progression of COVID-19 outbreaks in different country contexts.