One New COVID-19 Case, One More Death Reported

Also A Look Into Context Behind Reporting of Numbers

Darren Doyle, story:
One more confirmed positive COVID-19 case was reported today in Edmonson County by the Barren River District Health Department which brings the total amount of cases to 46 with 11 reported recoveries. While the BRDHD's numbers showed 8 deaths in the county from the virus, Genesis Health, Edmonson Center has reported 9 total deaths from COVID-19 in their facility. 

The facility reported no changes today.

"To date, Edmonson Center has had 30 residents and 3 staff members test positive for COVID-19," the center said in a statement on Wednesday. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to those impacted by COVID-19, especially the families of the nine residents that passed away.  All residents in the building have been tested for COVID-19 at least twice and the staff have all been tested once.  There have been no official recoveries at this time."

It is also important to understand context behind the numbers that we've provided during the coronavirus pandemic. We rely on daily numbers from the BRDHD for Edmonson County totals as well as regular updates from Edmonson Center, and both sources have been extremely cooperative in their communication with us thus far.

However, many readers will see "46 confirmed cases" in our update today and assume that means there are currently 46 active positive COVID-19 cases in Edmonson County, which is not accurate. That simply means there have been a total of 46 cases from the beginning, which also includes recoveries and deaths.

It's also important to note that out of 46 total cases reported in Edmonson County, 33 of those are within the nursing home. Obviously 33 cases are serious and the 9 deaths reported from the facility are real and the fact that the facility has been able to contain these numbers is outstanding when you see other breakouts in similar facilities that have seen much higher numbers. But if you put the facility's numbers aside, that leaves 13 total cases otherwise reported in Edmonson County and out of those 13, there have been 11 reported recoveries, leaving only two current positive cases of coronavirus reported in Edmonson County outside of Edmonson Center.

That does not count for the very real and scary possibility that others could be carrying the virus and not know they have it, so it is unfair to say there are no more than only two positive cases outside the nursing home numbers. In no way is the Edmonson Voice saying you should not be concerned with the virus or disregard social distancing, hygiene, or other necessary practices; however, it is very important to understand how these numbers are calculated and what they mean when they are reported each day.