The Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Operations Center wishes to clear up confusion that may be had over accurate positive case counts of COVID-19.

Several residents asked how the data is collected as Guthrie County Hospital and public health had confirmed there were four positive cases prior to the state public health department showing that information. Emergency Operations Manager Bob Kempf says the number entered into the state reporting system last week was incorrect, and Guthrie County Public Health notified the state of that error, “Our local providers and local public health get the results much quicker than as reported to the overall system as it comes directly to them. And that ensures that they can respond and start the contact tracing as quickly as possible. The numbers that we report are based on the positive test results that get reported back to our hospitals and the public health departments.”

Kempf shares that the four people confirmed with COVID-19 have all recovered and none required hospitalization. He reminds residents to keep up the good work of social distancing and staying home as much as possible to diminish the virus’ effect in the area.