If they have over 7000 hours but, say, 7500 or 8000, the release would say 'over 7500'. It is a bit like these people who say ' we are now in the top 6 companies..'. In other words, they are sixth. In other words, these guys have 7000 hours only.
The release says the y are cooperating with the authorities - I should hope so since they are one and the same.
The end result of this will be to blame Boeing, the weather and the co-pilot. Simple