Avoyelles has 13 new case, no additional deaths in Tuesday COVID report

Tuesday's COVID update from the state was obviously an "adjustment" for Avoyelles Parish pandemic totals. The report from the state health department noted 50 molecular lab tests were reviewed, but 41 rapid result tests were subtracted. The report does not indicate the reason, but health officials have noted in the past that the rapid result -- or "probable" -- test results could be removed if a molecular test is also given and shows positive. The reason for that adjustment is to avoid counting an infection twice. Other reasons would be that a person counted as being an Avoyelles resident was found to be living in another parish.

Despite having only a net of nine test results in the Tuesday report, Avoyelles had a one-day increase of 13 -- its highest in recent weeks. Of those 13 new cases, six were diagnosed with molecular lab tests and seven were by rapid result tests.

Until state health officials say otherwise, we are counting this report as more confusing than concerning.

The parish's pandemic totals as of Tuesday were 4,040 cases (3,515 lab tests, 525 rapid results) and 122 deaths (113/9). The state topped 450,000 cases at 450,279 and has had 10,255 COVID-related deaths since March 2020.