The Arkansas Department of Health reported three new COVID-19 cases in Union County Friday, bringing the cumulative number of cases identified in the county to 836. Of the cumulative cases, 822 were confirmed cases, determined by positive PCR tests, up three from Thursday; and 14 were probable cases, determined by positive antigen tests, no change from Thursday.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests are known to be more accurate, which is why positive results are considered “confirmed.” Antigen tests currently available on the market have accuracy rates between 84% and 97% when given within five days of the onset of COVID symptoms; the lower accuracy is why positive results from antigen tests are considered “probable.”
The CDC website says that negative antigen test results have a higher probability of being incorrect, and those who receive negative antigen test results should still follow quarantine or isolation protocols set in place by local health departments.
There were four new recoveries reported for Union County Friday, all in individuals with confirmed cases of the virus. So far, five people with probable cases are considered recovered and 762 people with confirmed cases are considered recovered.
Active cases dropped by one in Union County Friday to 37 in all, representing 4.4% of all the cases identified in the county. The number of active cases in the county was made up of four probable cases and 33 confirmed cases.
No new local deaths attributable to COVID-19 were reported Friday. Thirty-one Union County residents have died as a result of the virus.
The ADH reported 89 new negative test results returned from Union County Friday, indicating a one-day local positivity rate of 3.3% based on the number of new cases and results reported. In all, 8,635 COVID-19 test results have returned from Union County, including 7,799 negatives, indicating an overall local positivity rate of 9.7%.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Arkansas rose to a cumulative total of 74,082 Friday. The cumulative total was made up of 72,338 confirmed cases, up 724 from Thursday; and 1,744 probable cases, up 147 from Thursday.
There were 65,941 Arkansans considered recovered Friday. The number of active cases in the state roses to 6,158 on Friday; of those, 5,767 were in people with confirmed cases of the virus and 391 were in people with probable cases.
The deaths of seven Arkansans that resulted from COVID-19 were reported Friday, bringing the state’s death toll to 1,173, indicating a state COVID mortality rate of 1.6%. The COVID-related deaths reported in Arkansas include 1,025 individuals with confirmed cases of the virus and 148 in individuals with probable cases.
Since the state began testing for COVID-19, 876,022 results have been reported, including 801,674 negatives, indicating an overall positivity rate for the state of 8.5%.
At 7:15 p.m. Friday, Johns Hopkins reported 6,720,477 COVID-19 cases in the United States. Of those, 2,556,465 were considered recovered, leaving 3,965,543 cases — 59% — active nationwide. There had been 198,469 deaths attributable to the virus in the U.S. by Friday evening, indicating a national COVID mortality rate of 3%.
Johns Hopkins reported 20,673,876 COVID-19 cases worldwide Friday evening. Of those, 20,673,876 were considered recovered, leaving 8,748,765 cases — 28.8% — active around the world. There had been 949,486 deaths attributable to the virus by Friday evening, indicating a global COVID mortality rate of 3.1%.