COLUMBUS — Columbus Auditor of State Keith Faber announced the launch of an online portal for people to report experiences with inconsistent or erroneous COVID-19 test results.
The office is trying to find first-hand information from people who have received official notices with experiences of inconsistencies in testing procedures including, but not limited to, receiving tests results that were later reversed or receiving test results for a test they did not take.
“It is important that Ohioans have confidence in the data used for making COVID-19 policies,” said Auditor Faber. “There are widespread concerns and reports regarding false data. I saw a need for us to verify the data being used to either identify data errors or debunk what, in some cases, may be urban legends. I want to stress that this portal is only for first-hand experiences to establish facts or disprove rumors. With this audit and portal we can provide valuable feedback to key policy makers and increase confidence for all Ohioans.”
The submissions will add data to the ongoing, multi-state COVID-19 reporting audit that is being condcuted.
The intent is for states to be able to assess their own data gathering processes and use of applied data analytics to stop the spread of COVID-19, as well as gain understanding of how other states are handling it.
The questions were created in collaboration with five states: Delaware, Florida Mississippi, Ohio and Pennsylvania with assistance from the National State Auditor’s Association.
The portal is now available on the Auditor of State’s website.