OBSERVER Photo by Jo Ward Pictured is Dunkirk School 7.

The Chautauqua County Department of Health said two students within the Dunkirk School District have tested positive for COVID-19. The news comes a day after Superintendent Michael Mansfield said earlier reports of other students testing positive was in error.

Christine Schuyler, county public health director, confirmed the two positive cases. The students have been attending school through distance learning only and were “already being monitored by public health staff.”

When reached Thursday, Mansfield said he had not been made aware of the positive cases and planned to reach out to the county Health Department.

On Wednesday, Mansfield issued a statement citing “human error” that caused the state’s COVID dashboard to show two positive cases tied to School 7 in the district.

“The district apologizes for any unnecessary concern this report may have caused and is taking steps to ensure the accuracy of this report in the future,” he said.