Health officials explain difference in county, state COVID counts

By BARBARA ANN HORTON

Staff Writer

Butler County’s next mass testing will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at Whiteley Park, Butler County Health Department Director Emily Goodin said at Wednesday’s briefing. The county’s total number of COVID-19 cases stood at 2,595 at that time.

She explained contact tracing and investigations would continue over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Goodin also addressed the fact state and county numbers differ when reporting COVID cases.

She said there are two tests, PCR and antigen, used in testing for COVID. While the state uses the results from one test, the health department uses the results from both tests.

Both the health department and the National Guard (Department of Health and Senior Services) use PCR tests. PCR stands for Polymerase chain reaction.

Since the health center counts results from both tests and the state does not, the numbers will differ.

Butler County Emergency Management Director Robbie Myers reminded those listening to the briefing to wear a mask at all times in public and other settings outside your home where social distancing is not possible. He said to maintain social distance of at least six feet whenever possible and limit close contacts with other individuals.

Wash hands multiple times a day, Myers said.

When sick, or if you have symptoms, stay home and self-isolate from other family members. Limit your regular interactions to small groups.