OSDH: 395 More Oklahomans Test Positive For Coronavirus; 2 New Virus-Related Deaths

Friday, June 26th 2020, 11:05 am

By: LeighAnne Manwarren

Two more virus-related deaths and 395 new coronavirus cases in the state since Thursday, according to daily numbers released by the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

A total of 12,343 Oklahomans have tested positive for COVID-19 and the total number of deaths went up to 377, the state health department said Friday.

Two more deaths were reported but none were in the last 24 hours.

One man aged 65 or older died in Oklahoma County. One man aged 50 to 64 died in McCurtain County.

A total of 1,393 Oklahomans have been hospitalized due to the virus with 308 patients currently in the hospital.

So far, 8,817 Oklahomans have recovered from the virus with 310 more cases considered recovered since Thursday. Health officials said recovered means the patient is not hospitalized or deceased and it has been 14 days since the onset of symptoms or report.

As of Friday, a total of 298,434 tests have returned negative. This includes state testing and private lab testing since February.

Click here to view the state's COVID-19 data.

Dr. Dale Bratzler, the chief COVID officer for the University of Oklahoma said the recent increase in cases can’t be attributed to testing. In recent weeks, the number of tests performed have slightly increased, but are still significantly larger than amounts from April.

“I don’t think it’s related to testing at all, I think we’re seeing more community spread of this virus,” Bratzler. “This is exponential growth now.”

More: Watch: Dr. Bratzler On Why Oklahoma No Longer Meets COVID-19 Requirements To Reopen

On April 28, Gov. Kevin Stitt said anyone who wished to take a COVID-19 test could do so even if they are not presenting symptoms.

The state health department advises anyone with COVID-19 symptoms such as shortness of breath, fever or coughing to stay home and limit person-to-person engagement.

The state coronavirus hotline is 877-215-8336 or 211. For a list of coronavirus (COVID-19) links and resources, click here.