>I was thinking they rounded up the Hong Kong protestors and murdered them but I'm leaning more on a great worldwide plan.
Official Secrets
At the start of the outbreak, most countries relied RT-PCR tests because these were fastest to develop. More antibody tests are now becoming available, which will increase reported cases as gaps are filled. Big differences in the groups being tested still make overall numbers between countries hard to compare. The UK was very quick to develop an RT-PCR test and this remains the primary method, using a network of labs doing the same standardised test. This allows for consistent data but has stretched capacity from the vast scale of the outbreak and the speed of its development.
How good are current COVID-19 tests?
RT-PCR is very specific and sensitive. However, once you have recovered the virus is eliminated and these tests can no longer tell if you’ve been infected. This creates significant uncertainty especially if someone has self-isolated due to mild and unclear symptoms. RT-PCR tests need a laboratory, so it takes time – even if the RT-PCR test itself only takes several hours, by the time you add sample collection, transport, and sample processing it can be days before the result is known. Rapid portable RT-PCR machines are the cutting edge of diagnostic technology, and COVID-19 tests are only just becoming available for these machines – but even the fastest machines take around two hours*. These have been evaluated in the NHS to improve flu treatment.
https://theconversation.com/covid-19-tests-how-they-work-and-whats-in-development-134479
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https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/europe/uk-scientists-develop-30-minute-test-kit-covid-19