2 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Rabun County

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CLAYTON—The Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed two cases of COVID-19 in Rabun County Tuesday.

The Clayton Tribune spoke with a COVID-19 victim by phone Monday, but is not releasing the name due to privacy concerns. The victim said test results were received Friday.

Dave Palmer, public information officer for District 2 Public Health, said Monday there are issues with the website reporting information that officials are working to resolve.

“There’s some issues with the website and getting some information posted,” Palmer said. “I’m hoping any discrepancies will be resolved soon.”

Cheryl Harbin, Nurse Manager of the Rabun County Health Department, said Monday the state’s reporting system is backlogged due to the increasing number of test results that are being submitted.

Sometimes, she said, a patient will get their results before the state has entered them. 

“I’m advising everyone that if someone you know and trust tells you they have a positive result, you should believe them and act accordingly,” Harbin said, even if that result is not yet posted on the state website.

The official state website for COVID-19 information is dph.georgia.gov.

Among the categories listed for reporting testing results is one marked “unknown.”

 “It’s generally issues we are having with data collection,” Palmer said of the “unknown” category.

He said there has also been an increase in the providers who have the testing kits and they are using more labs than traditionally used.

There could also be an issue with the address if someone lives in one county but goes to another county. He said until officials verify the address, it is listed as “unknown."