Data correction will result in increase in locally reported COVID fatalities
The number of COVID fatalities in Henderson County reported by Net Health is about to jump because of a data correction.
Net Health is currently reporting 30 fatalities in the county and that is expected to go up to 53 sometime this week.
This is a correction and does not represent an immediate spike in COVID deaths. These newly reported fatalities could have happened at any time since April.
The change follows a review of state death certificates which showed Net Health was not getting reports of individuals who passed away at home or under hospice care. They were also not receiving reports about Henderson County residents who died outside of the Net Health seven-county region.
"We've been saying all along, the numbers aren't matching and there's some reason for it," said Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney.
News of the change in the fatalities data comes as Henderson County experiences a rising wave of COVID-19 cases. The Trauma Services Area (TSA) which includes Henderson County has set a new record for COVID hospitalizations each of the past five days.
Today, hospitalizations hit 301, breaking 300 for the first time since the pandemic began.
"Our hospitalizations are at an all time high," said McKinney. "Are we better prepared to handle it? Yes, but there's still more sickness out there."
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