The Louisiana Department of Health reported an additional 3,492 cases of COVID-19 Friday.
That number now includes reporting of probable cases from antigen tests (680) and confirmed cases from molecular/PCR tests (2,812).
"There are two different types of COVID tests – diagnostic tests and antibody tests," explained LDH. "An antigen test is a type of diagnostic test. A diagnostic test can show if you have an active COVID-19 infection and should take steps to isolate yourself from others, and if your close contacts will need to quarantine themselves to protect the larger community. In some settings an antigen test will need to be confirmed with a more accurate and definitive molecular/PCR test."
The department says the use of antigen tests has increased in Louisiana in recent weeks, but added, "It is important to note that at this time, PCR tests will continue to be the only type of test used to calculate percent positivity. This follows current best practices and the guidance of The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."
The total number of reported cases stood at 201,981.
The death toll increased by 24. LDH reports 5,885 confirmed deaths and 236 probable deaths from the coronavirus for a total count of 6,121.
Hospitalizations increased by 16 to 692 and the number of patients on ventilators rose by three to 62.
There are 176,107 presumed recovered from the coronavirus as of November 9.