Large numbers of positive results are an entirely different kind of data than large numbers of the opposite (neutral + negative). One shows the minimum scale o

Large numbers of positive results are an entirely different kind of data than large numbers of the opposite (neutral + negative). One shows the minimum scale of the problem - if it's big, that's a problem, even if it's no bigger than the value reported. E.g. if 10% tested positive, that'd be unambiguously worrying / news-worthy. The other shows the maximum awareness of a problem. If it's big, you have no idea if awareness is low (many neutrals) or if incidence is low (many negatives). Everyone in SF could have COVID, and that 99.798% number could still be factually correct. Or it could be that only those .202% got it. There's no way to know from that number alone.