DAILY COUNT UP 11

From County Judge Steve Young Thursday evening:

Today we are including a new category in our report, referred to as probable cases.  This includes positive antigen tests and antibody tests, but not confirmed with a PCR test.  The probable cases will not be included in the confirmed cases at this point.

The PCR test is the test that the Health Department uses as its standard for a positive test. A PCR test (polymerase chain reaction) looks for genetic material of the coronavirus.  This material is delectable when a person is actively infected.

The antigen test identifies people who are currently infected with the virus, by looking for proteins from the virus as opposed to genetic material.  This is a quick test, very similar to the technology of testing used strep throat, but it is not as accurate as the PCR test. 

The antibody test is a blood test that looks for antibodies to the virus.  Antibodies generally arise after four day to more than a week after the infection and thus they are not used to diagnose current disease.

Confirmed cases 273 confirmed cases – up 11

54 active cases – up 9

6 probable cases

Monitored 100 down 1

1 hospitalized – no change.  This person remains in serious condition.