WQXE News

Local health officials are pushing back against widespread social media posts claiming positive COVID-19 tests are being misrepresented in exchange for more federal funding.

“I would seriously doubt the falsification of positive results happened with healthcare providers,” Hardin Memorial Vice President and Chief Development Officer Tracee Troutt said. “No reputable healthcare system or group of providers would falsify positive results in order to receive more money.”

“As with almost everything, don’t rely on social media as your source of information,” she explained.

Troutt said that the healthcare provider did not receive money for treating large numbers of covid cases, but did get funds through the CARES Act, as most healthcare facilities did.

RISE, a 7-week virtual series regarding racial issues of the day and in local communities will begin tonight.

Spokesperson Jerisia Lamons says that topics that the series will cover include education, workforce development, criminal justice reform, black owned businesses in Hardin county, and how to be a better ally. Those interested can register online on the events facebook page.

The event is being held virtually and is set to begin tonight at 7 p.m.

As a very different looking school year approaches, officials with Hardin County Schools are answering questions about what the difference is between non-traditional instruction (NTI), and the online learning academy.

District spokesperson John Wright says that students taking part in long-term NTI will still be held to same expectations as in-person learning, with short-term NTI consisting mainly of review work from in-person instruction. The online learning academy, Wright says, will keep pace with in-person instruction.

The district says that plans for NTI may change depending on the state of public health and safety.