Deprecated: Creation of dynamic property ET_Builder_Module_Comments::$et_pb_unique_comments_module_class is deprecated in /home/csmediatexas/murphymonitor/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/class-et-builder-element.php on line 1425
Photos online

Commissioners lack confidence in state COVID reporting

by | Aug 20, 2020 | Latest

Collin County commissioners almost pulled down the web dashboard reporting daily COVID-19 number on Monday, but decided instead to post a disclaimer stating that they do not trust the data. The discussion over virus reporting came a few days after the state, which provides the numbers for the dashboard, added 1,175 cases to the county data, pushing the total number of positive cases to more than 10,000. “I am frustrated with the state,” County Judge Chris Hill declared. Near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the county gathered data and posted numbers to the dashboard. However, the Texas Department of State Health Services took over collecting and organizing the data. Since taking over collection of all COVID-19 date in June, the state has been awash in a backlog of information. The data dump last week, which occurred all over the state, was the result of working through the accumulation of information, County Manager Bill Bilyeu said. Bilyeu pointed out that the data is not accurate, giving an example of how recoveries from the virus are counted. Two methods are employed, when a patient actually recovers and by the calendar. If no information is provided on whether, or not, a patient recovered, their case is automatically marked as recovered after 30 days. “The numbers are false, but they are the best we have,” Bilyeu said. Hill noted that it was hard for the commissioners court to make any decisions in response to COVID-19 without accurate data and expressed frustration that the state does not consider Collin County data a priority. Although the county has been doling out federal coronavirus money to cities and other entities, commissioners have made few policy decisions in dealing with the effects of the pandemic, deferring to the governor to set guidelines and mandates. Joe Reavis • [email protected]
Subscribe Love

0 Comments

Public Notice - Subscribe

Related News

County bond proposals carry different tax impacts

County bond proposals carry different tax impacts

With early voting underway, Collin County voters will decide whether to approve a $600 million Collin College bond proposal and four Collin County bond propositions totaling $817.5 million, with different potential effects on property taxes. The college anticipates no...

read more
Water line replacement running behind schedule

Water line replacement running behind schedule

Assistant Fire Chief Joe Flowers presents Fire Department Analyst Sammi Clark with the Murphy Employee of the Quarter award at the Oct. 20 City Council meeting. Courtesy Photo The city of Murphy had a remarkably low water loss of 3% from its municipal system in...

read more
Voter turnout could hit 70% for this election

Voter turnout could hit 70% for this election

The Murphy Community Center, 205 N. Murphy Road, is open for early voting and on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Bob Wieland/Murphy Monitor Election officials say early voting for the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election was brisk in the first week, but so far not as...

read more
Congressman told of teenager’s threat, arrest

Congressman told of teenager’s threat, arrest

U.S. Rep. Keith Self says Capitol Police told him the FBI had arrested a McKinney teenager in connection with an alleged threat against the 3rd District congressman.“The Capitol Police contacted me twice with alerts that included the fact that FBI had made an arrest,”...

read more
Little Free Library brings new stories to Murphy

Little Free Library brings new stories to Murphy

A Little Free Library is dedicated outside the Murphy Community Center by Historian Rhonda Lucich and Regent Amanda Mahler of the Mary Shirley McGuire Chapter, NSDAR. Photo Bob Wieland / Murphy Monitor A bright red cabinet filled with children’s books has become...

read more
Annual family campout returns to Murphy

Annual family campout returns to Murphy

Register by Oct. 15 for the family campout set for Nov. 13 to 14. Bob Wieland/Murphy Monitor Murphy’s annual family campout is returning to Central Park Pond next month, offering families a chance to spend a night under the stars without venturing far from home. Now...

read more
Early voting begins next week 

Early voting begins next week 

There’s a lot for voters to consider on the ballot for the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election. In the 3rd Congressional District, Rep. Keith Self, a Republican, is seeking his third term in the U.S. House. He is opposed by Evan Hunt, the Democratic nominee.  Four...

read more
Public Notice - Subscribe