Officials at Warren General Hospital have confirmed Warren County’s first coronavirus death… but it didn’t happen at the hospital, or even in the county.

No further details about the individual have been released, but according to a Wednesday release from Warren General Hospital, the patient had a Warren County address, but had not lived here for some time.

“Apparently, this patient was living out-of-state,” according to the release from Director of Business Development and Marketing George Lilja. “This patient caught the coronavirus out of state while living out-of-state and was admitted in an out-of-state hospital and died in the same out-of-state hospital.”

“None of the diagnosis and treatment even happened in Warren County,” Lilja said.

He said the patient reportedly had not been in the county in three years but maintained the county address.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reports cases and deaths related to COVID-19 by county of residence.

“Since the patient had a Warren County address listed, it was reported as a Warren County COVID-19 patient,” Lilja said.

Warren County officials publicly expressed doubts about the accuracy of the reports when they came out on Tuesday.

“Today, the Department of Health has issued data stating that there has been a COVID-19 related death in Warren County,” according to the release issued by Public Information Officer Cecile Stelter. “The county has no knowledge of this being factually accurate. The coroner has not listed any fatality related to COVID-19 nor has the hospital had an additional positive test.”

“The county government believes this information was provided in error and would urge the community to remain calm as this is investigated,” Stelter said in the release.

Because the patient lived, was diagnosed, and treated out-of-state, that county officials and hospitals were unaware is not surprising. And according to the Department of Health reporting procedures, the Tuesday report was not in error.

The commissioners issued another release on Wednesday.

“Since the first concerns were voiced regarding COVID-19, the County Government has strived to provide a measured response to local and statewide developments,” Commissioner Jeff Eggleston said. “Yesterday, the County became aware that there was a COVID-19 related death in Warren County when the Pennsylvania Department of Health issued its noon update. Immediately, County Officials began pursuing all avenues to verify this report and acquire additional information.”

“The Pennsylvania Department of Health has a process by which they report COVID-19 deaths and probable deaths based on the individual’s official place of residence,” he said. “This could mean that an individual who has tested positive for COVID and who also is traveling or temporarily living outside of Warren County, Pennsylvania, would be reported as a Warren County positive result and/or a COVID-19 death.”

“Our local process differs substantially from the state process,” Eggleston said. “We will not confirm or deny any information until we confer with our local official sources.”

“Upon hearing of this report yesterday, we contacted Warren General Hospital and were told that they had no record of either an additional positive case or a COVID-related death,” he said. “They had knowledge of only 1 positive case from Warren County. Similarly, the Warren County Coroner had not listed any fatality related to COVID-19 for the county.”

Typically, not all deaths represent cases for the coroner. However, Coroner Melissa Zydonik is acting under authority given to her in cases of pandemic by the county code to require “that all deaths, regardless of the circumstances be reported.”

“At this time, the Warren County Coroner’s Office has had no reported fatalities due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Zydonik said. “We are continuing to work with all stakeholders to ensure a fluid and thorough investigation takes place, should there be any known or suspected cases of COVID19 in Warren County.”

“We understand the anxiety that a reported death in the county adds to this already stressful situation,” Eggleston said. “We, the county commissioners, promise to always exercise due diligence in providing accurate, timely and verifiable information to the residents of Warren County. The County Government’s priority continues to be the safety and well-being of its citizenry and we appreciate the public’s understanding and patience as we seek further details about this situation.”

The state is working to keep data as accurate as possible and, in particular, to avoid double reporting.

Officials at the Department of Health realize that there are times when the initial reports of cases and deaths show the wrong location.

“Sometimes we investigate to ensure the correct results are being shared — like if the specimen was collected in another county, but their county of residence is another,” according to the DOH Press Office. “That is why you may sometimes see numbers go up or down as we confirm that county of residence.”