The negative virus test numbers in Columbia County virtually doubled from Monday to Tuesday as more results have likely have begun rolling in.
As of Monday, there had only been one publicly confirmed case of the Chinese-based covid-19 virus in Columbia County. On Monday afternoon, the Arkansas Department of Health reported the Columbia County case number at between one and four, with 16 negative tests. In Arkansas as a whole, as of Tuesday, there are 523 confirmed cases, resulting in eight deaths, with 32 recoveries and 5,520 negative tests.
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By Tuesday afternoon, the number of negative tests in Columbia County had nearly doubled, up to 30, yet the local caseload was still set between one and four, according to ADH stats. The numbers would indicate that the local screening results are beginning to come in. Before Tuesday, the negative number of 16 had been stagnant for days.
Governor Asa Hutchinson during his daily coronavirus briefing stated that Columbia County was among the "newly-added" counties with a case of the virus, however the first local case was reported by local government on Sunday, March 22.
Last week's screening was held over a six-hour period Thursday at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. More than 150 individuals were screened resulting in a large portion of those in attendance meeting the criteria to be tested.
As results roll in this week, local case numbers could potentially jump after 113 individuals were tested locally.
“We do expect the numbers to go up for our county,” said Twana Hendricks, administrator for the Columbia County Health Unit who also worked as one of the staff members at last week’s screening. “The more we test, the more we are going to get back numbers.”
The increase in positive case numbers may not be a total negative. With so many cases potentially pinpointed, the results could end in a safer local populace by isolating and treating those who may be carrying the virus.
“All of the people we tested had reasons to be there,” Hendricks added. “They had symptoms. They were right to come through the screening.”
Persons tested were expected to begin receiving results Monday.
“We instructed the patients to check on them early this week,” Hendricks added.
In total, around 30 county personnel volunteered at the event. They included local emergency response members from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Magnolia Police Department, Magnolia Fire Department, and Columbia County Ambulance Service, as well as local medical and nursing professionals, including Dr. Jason Franks M.D. and Dr. Fred Murphy M.D. Private employees from the North Little Rock-based Natural State Laboratories, the firm handling the test results, were on hand as well.
The age range and demographics of those tested ranged from children, to young adults to the elderly of all races.
“I saw every age group out there,” Hendricks added. “We tested people of all colors as well. It doesn’t matter what you look like,”
To check their test results, patients were given identifier cards where they can go online to see their results. Due to federal HIPPA laws, the names of anyone who tests positive for the virus cannot be released, only the numbers. The single positive result that became public last week is still a mystery, even to local health professionals. All that is known, even to doctors and medical professionals, is that the person was likely not tested at Magnolia Regional Medical Center.
“It went very smoothly,” said Hendricks. “I was very impressed with the community with its response to hold this event on such notice. Everyone in our county works together and everyone is well organized and prepared. It makes me proud to be a part of Columbia County.”
The local health agent also said the heroes in the entire ordeal are not only the volunteers, but everyone at home and everyone obeying the social guidelines to help prevent the spread of any more cases.
“It really takes everyone to do their part,” Hendricks said.
The most asked question now is, will there be another screening?
Hendricks said the topic has already been discussed among county officials, but it all depends on the results from the first event.
“If we have a significant amount of positives from [last week’s] screening, we could anticipate potentially having another one,” said Hendricks.
A follow-up screening would include examining and testing the known contacts of anyone who had been carrying the virus.