OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Oklahoma State Department of Health announced Sunday that there are now 2,599 positive cases COVID-19 in the state and 140 total deaths.
Of the 140 total deaths so far, one new death was reported in the last 24 hours: One in Delaware County, a female in the 65 and older age group.
OSDH’s report on Saturday also showed 32,966 cumulative negative COVID-19 test specimens and 555 hospitalizations due to the virus in Oklahoma so far.
OSDH reports that 307 people are currently hospitalized because of the virus.
Friday’s report showed that 1,441 Oklahomans have recovered from the virus so far.
The Department of Health did not provide a breakdown of the number of COVID-19 cases per county.
OSDH’s daily update on COVID-19 in Oklahoma also states that OSDH is partnering with Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma to provide more testing sites in Tulsa.
Click here for information on the OSU site. Information about the OU site will be announced as it becomes available.
Click here for a list of other testing sites across Oklahoma.
COVID-19 cases cases by cases breakdown 55.4 percent female and 44.6 percent male. Deaths break down 47.1 percent female and 52.9 percent male, according to the April 17th report.
The report also provided the following state hospital statistics pertaining to COVID-19:
State officials urge Oklahomans to stay away from ill patients and to frequently wash their hands. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
At this point, Americans are urged to practice ‘social distancing’ by staying in their homes as much as possible and not going out into a crowd.
The virus is mainly spread from person-to-person, and symptoms usually appear two to 14 days after exposure. Officials stress that the most common symptoms are fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
If you do become sick, you are asked to stay away from others. If you have been in an area where the coronavirus is known to be spreading or been around a COVID-19 patient and develop symptoms, you are asked to call your doctor ahead of time and warn them that you might have been exposed to the virus. That way, experts say, they have the ability to take extra precautions to protect staff and other patients.
The novel coronavirus was first detected in China late last year and has since spread to locations across the globe, including the United States.
While the full extent of COVID-19 is not known yet, reported illnesses have ranged from extremely mild to severe, some resulting in death. Officials say that 80 to 85 percent of cases of COVID-19 have been mild, similar to a cold or the flu.
Older people and those with underlying health conditions like heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes are at a greater risk for a serious case.
