DES MOINES, Iowa - The state says its fixed a problem with its reporting of COVID-19 cases that skewed virus rates across Iowa.
The error occurred with people who were tested multiple times, with the person's most recent test being backdated to the time of their first test, often months earlier.
The glitch had the potential to make a county's average positivity rate appear artificially low or high.
The correction made to the system Wednesday afternoon confirmed such a scenario, as it triggered a steep reduction in reported COVID-19 rates in numerous counties, while other counties saw an uptick.
The discovery of the error and its correction comes as schools are using the state's virus data in deciding how to bring kids back to classrooms.
The state is requiring schools to open with at least 50 percent of classes in person unless the county the sthe districts have objected the requirement and asked for a waiver to start classes completely online, or are choosing to defy the order.
The Des Moines district is now in the process of seeking a waiver while similar requests from several other districts have been denied.