The most recent influenza data we have in Arkansas is from 4/11. At that time, in the period between 9/29/19 and 4/11/20, there were 20 PCR + flu deaths (this would be equivalent to someone dying from COVID19 with a “positive COVID test”, which is also a PCR based test - ie a test that identifies genetic material from the virus in the body above a certain threshold) and we have 98 deaths which list influenza on the death certificate with or without a “positive” flu antigen test - which would be the rapid test done in the doctors’ office. Less reliable. Unfortunately they don’t break down who was antigen positive and who was presumptively identified as having influenza. As I have said before there is going to be some delay in reporting, but the saving grace here is that in most years, influenza deaths/diagnoses/paid claims come to a screeching halt in mid April. So for a 6.5 month period this year when the influenza virus was present, 118 people presumably died (if anyone wants to inject inflation of numbers now would be a good time since only 1/6 of those deaths would meet the criteria that have been applied to COVID19).
SARS-CoV-2 appeared in Arkansas on March 11, so 2.5 months ago. As of now, we are at 125 COVID19 deaths, based on the best data we have.
Breaking it down by time from first positive case to the end of the recording period:
For flu (9/29-4/11)=118 deaths or 0.6 deaths per day
For COVID19 (3/11-today)=125 deaths or 1.6 deaths per day.
The sobering part of the last statement is that we recorded the highest single number of case in any day so far on 5/21 and our 7 day average of new cases reached its highest point yet yesterday w/ rumors of an even bigger increase when today’s data is out.