The Fayette County Health Department says the delay in getting coronavirus test results to the state has had no impact on the distribution of local information.
Department Spokesman Kevin Hall told Lexington city council members Tuesday that reporting of positive cases or close contacts to individuals was not delayed. “So, in terms of what Lexington the average person, the impact be felt from this is none because if you were positive you were getting contacting within the proper time frame. It was simply data delay,” said Hall.
Hall said local health officials prioritize the human element over the data element. He added the delay to state officials was due to a staffing issue and, quote, “too many cases to keep up with.” The health department spokesman said similar delays have occurred in other counties. Hall noted the backlog is now less than 200. That number had been just under 15 hundred at one point.
Council Member Jennifer Reynolds serves on the Fayette County Board of Health. She said health department workers are doing their best. “They are working hard. They have not taken, many of them have not taken a day off since COVID started. They’re doing the best they can and I think they’ve done an excellent job,” added Reynolds.
Reynolds said maybe information about the delay in reporting could have been communicated better to the public.
If you appreciate access to this important content during this global health emergency, please help us continue to provide public service journalism and information to Central and Eastern Kentucky communities. Please make your contribution to WEKU today.
