Health Team

Addition of antigen test reports pushes NC total cases of coronavirus past 200,000

When North Carolina on Friday added positive coronavirus cases and deaths diagnosed with an antigen test to its daily COVID-19 dashboard, the addition pushed the daily number of reported new cases to 6,256. That is expected to be a one-time spike, a catchup for data not yet reported.

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When North Carolina on Friday added positive coronavirus cases and deaths diagnosed with an antigen test to its daily COVID-19 dashboard, the addition pushed the daily number of reported new cases to 6,256. That is expected to be a one-time spike, a catchup for data not yet reported.

Over the past three weeks, the state's rolling, seven-day average of new cases has been around 1,200.

Two types of tests are used to diagnose COVID-19 – molecular (PCR) and antigen tests. A molecular (PCR) test looks for the virus’ genetic material. An antigen test is a rapid test that looks for specific proteins on the surface of the virus. Where the test is processed may also differ. Molecular (PCR) tests are processed in a laboratory. Antigen tests are often processed at the point of care, such as in a health care provider’s office.

States report the results of both kinds of tests to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Since March, 204,331 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in North Carolina. The vast majority of them – at least 176,422 – have recovered. Across the state, 903 people are being treated for COVID-19 in hospitals, and 3,409 have died since the outbreak began.

According to Johns Hopkins University, more than 7 million Americans have tested positive for the virus, and 203,240 have died. The United States has the greatest number of cases and deaths of any country in the world.

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