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2020 Special Session I

Budget Amendments - HB5005 (Floor Approved)

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Accuracy Reporting of COVID-19 Data (language only)

Item 299 #2h

Item 299 #2h

Health and Human Resources
Department of Health

Language

Page 109, after line 3, insert:

"I.  The Virginia Department of Health shall review and update their data collection and reporting protocols for COVID-19 or other infectious disease data to only report actual deaths not an extrapolated projection of deaths."



Explanation

(This amendment adds language directing the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to report only actual deaths in their COVID-19 or other infectious disease data collection and reporting protocols. This will ensure that when VDH provides the public with reporting on any infectious diseases (i.e. flu, COVID-19, etc.) that it is reported in a manner that can be easily understood by citizens who do not have a degree in statistical modeling or a doctorate in epidemiology. If VDH is already reporting using a statistical model from a federal center, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that reporting may continue, but VDH must also report, in clear unambiguous terms, the actual deaths directly related to each disease. It is the intent that VDH share their data and methodology, such that any citizen, with a basic understanding of high school Algebra, should be able to replicate the results. It is the intent of the General Assembly that this item be set out upon enrolling.)