diff --git a/R/create.R b/R/create.R
index f458095bf..be09971f2 100644
--- a/R/create.R
+++ b/R/create.R
@@ -38,10 +38,7 @@ create_clean_reported_cases <- function(reported_cases, horizon,
   reported_cases <- data.table::setorder(reported_cases, date)
   ## Filter out 0 reported cases from the beginning of the data
   if (filter_leading_zeros) {
-    reported_cases <- reported_cases[order(date)][
-      ,
-      cum_cases := cumsum(confirm, na.rm = TRUE)
-    ][min(date[cum_cases > 0])][, cum_cases := NULL]
+    reported_cases <- reported_cases[order(date)][min(date[confirm > 0])]
   }
 
   # Check case counts preceding zero case counts and set to 7 day average if