Latest federal report shows Missouri worst in nation for COVID-19 cases due to mistake in reporting

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri is currently ranked number one in the nation for worst cases of COVID-19; however, this is a mistake.

The latest state profile report showed 85,151 new cases of COVID-19 with a 3,314% increase from the previous week.

According to the state's COVID-19 dashboard there are 484,531 total confirmed PCR cases, with 407 new cases reported.

Lisa Cox with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said the state thinks all antigen cases were pulled into the data at one time, causing thousands of cases to be added.

"We believe they pulled in the historical antigen cases from our website at once, which added about 80,000 cases to the total--working to correct this," Cox said.

Three counties in Missouri are currently in the red zone, including Crawford, St. Clair, and Benton county, which is two more from the previous federal report at the end of February.

Pettis, Stone, and Vernon counties are currently in the orange zone, while 13 counties are sitting in the yellow zone.

COVID-19 deaths remain in the red zone in Missouri, with the state reporting 149 new deaths, or 2.4 per 100,000 people.

Six hospitals or 5% are reporting supply shortages, which is a 20% change from the previous week.