Some Douglas County residents have been receiving messages that they have tested positive for COVID-19, despite never being tested for the virus. The recent reports of incorrect positivity notifications have prompted the Douglas County Health Department to start investigations on how they happened. Spokesman Phil Rooney said so far, the calls have turned out to be a simple mix up of phone number digits, and it was simply the wrong person being called.
“What we have found so far in one instance that we have so far investigated is that it was a simple transposition of a phone number,” Rooney said.
Rooney said the phone calls do not seem to be a scam, but instead appear to be human error. He said health officials are most concerned that people who are positive for COVID-19 aren’t being notified so they can take the necessary steps to protect themselves and others.
“The important thing for people to realize is that there’s no scam, there’s no fraud, it was a simple human error. We’re in the process of getting it corrected,” Rooney said.
He said any Douglas County resident who receives a call but has not been tested should call the health department’s information line at 402-444-3400 and report it. He said the only way they can investigate is if the erroneous calls are reported.