(KLFY) – The Louisiana Department of Health believes some officials in rural parishes are mishandling coronavirus data.

They say privacy laws are being violated, and the data is being misinterpreted when it comes to the number of people testing positive — in order to claim the virus outbreak is less severe, according to a report by the Associated Press.

A warning was sent out to all parishes last week.

Parishes must come to an agreement with the department of health, if they want to continue using the information.

A list of patients testing positive is sent to parishes to help first responders know when to prepare for dealing with someone infected.