Ratio of tests to positive cases

[AJamesPhillips]

As per this graph, the United Kingdom's ratio is shown as 5.7 as of May 7th

However the data source (UK Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England) shows the ratio at ~12. With a 14 day moving average it's still about 10.

Link to spreadsheet.

I was wondering where the value of 5.7 comes from? Thank you.

[edomt]

Hi @AJamesPhillips

• This official ratio seems to be calculated by dividing the daily number of cases by the number of tests;
• Our World in Data's ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of cases by the number of tests, since the outbreak started in the country.

Both can be considered valid and relevant metrics, but they describe different aspects of the epidemic and the public health policies in place.

Edouard

[AJamesPhillips]

Great thank you so much @edomt . That makes a lot more sense now. I'm going to open another issue (#46) with a minor suggestion to clarify that in the page title / notes. Thank you again.