Higher covid-19 tests are doing what they are meant to do, health officials say.

They are identifying all those infected and getting them medical attention.

They also are identifying all those they may have infected to get them help.

The latest figures from the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control are encouraging.

Tests have found 19,378 South Carolinians infected as of Monday afternoon, up from 15,228 a week ago.

That’s 4,150 more of our residents who can get needed medical attention.

In Lexington County this week, tests found 1,184 of us infected, up from 879 cases a week ago.

Covid-19 has cost us 602 lives in the state but only 40 in Lexington County.

Compared with large cities, these numbers are tiny.

Our recovery rate is nearing 85%, meaning 15% of those infected in our state still struggle with the virus.

Health officials believe our testing and tracing of those who might have infected others must be about twice what they are now.

For every positive case, tracing finds about 10 contacts who need tests. Those who test positive need their own contacts tested.

Widespread testing would need to show less cases for 14 days for it to be safe to ease up social distancing.

Health officials fear relaxing social distancing too quickly could lead to a resurgence of new infections.

The World Health Organization said the number of positive cases should account for no more than 10% of total tests. US positive test rates are about 9%.

Businesses and health authorities hope to shorten the time needed for test results.

Test developers are racing to create rapid tests that can give results as quickly as an at-home pregnancy test.