A surge in reported cases has pushed numbers to more than double their levels from August, amid an ongoing disagreement with federal health authorities over how deaths are being counted. The conflict over methodology has raised questions about transparency and accuracy in tracking the situation. Health officials and local agencies remain at odds over the proper way to classify and report fatalities. The dispute highlights broader challenges in coordinating public health data during a period of rising incidents.
Cases have more than doubled since August as a dispute with federal health officials over the death count continues.
