In Avoyelles, total number of tests during pandemic doubles estimated population

With Friday's update on COVID-19 numbers, Avoyelles Parish's total number of tests passed 80,000 for the 15-month pandemic. That's an average of two tests per parish resident, which would include children who are not old enough to be vaccinated. What this means, of course, is that many parish residents have taken more than one test. Those whose job requires periodic testing are among this group.

State officials assure, however, that the parish's 4,326 positive results are not duplicates. To summarize those totals, one person can be represented by numerous negatives, but there's only one positive per person.

The Friday report had 304 test results, with 282 lab tests and 22 rapid result tests. There were no positives among those tests. In fact, it was a day when the parish once again lost a COVID case, with one previous positive lab test result removed from the pandemic total.

As of Friday, Avoyelles' totals were 4,326 cases (3,751 / 575) and 123 deaths (115 / 8). The state's totals were 475,354 cases and 10,648 deaths.