COVID-19 case accuracy in Monroe County

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The number of positive COVID-19 cases here in Monroe County continues to rise slightly according to the Monroe County Health Department. Public Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza says those numbers aren’t exactly accurate.

Mendoza says there are currently two sets of testing numbers. One that’s accurate, and the other that’s vastly undercounted.

Covid-19 is still with us but Mendoza says the virus is mostly quite mild for those who get it thanks to vaccinations. He says the county has a more accurate count from tests taken from all health care settings.

Right now the daily positive cases remain in the low hundreds. Mendoza says the big problem is a lot of positive results from home testing are not being reported. With the start of the new school year just weeks away, we also asked him if there is any new guidance coming from the state.

"We’re still waiting from the state to see if they issue, I imagine they will update their guidance, but right now nothing has changed, I do think that even though you know it’s 5-6 weeks away we’re still planning," said Mendoza.

He also went on to say although COVID numbers are ticking upward, hospitalizations are not.