876 New Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, 9 More Virus-Related Deaths Reported, OSDH Says

Nine new virus-related deaths and 876 new confirmed coronavirus cases were reported in the state since Tuesday, according to daily numbers released by the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

A total of 65,929 Oklahomans have tested positive for COVID-19 in confirmed tests and the total number of deaths went up to 863, the state health department said on Wednesday.

None of the deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.

Three people died in Tulsa County; a woman aged 36 to 49 and a man and a woman aged 65 or older.

One man aged 65 or older died in Cleveland County. A woman aged 65 or older died in Comanche County. A man aged 65 or older died in Creek County.

A man aged 65 or older died in Kiowa County. A man aged 65 or older died in Le Flore County. One man aged 65 or older died in Nowata County.

The health department said 9,661 cases are considered active in the state.

A total of 5,253 Oklahomans have been hospitalized due to the virus with 462 Oklahomans currently in the hospital.

So far, 55,405 Oklahomans have recovered from the virus with 1,136 more cases considered recovered since Tuesday. 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 Wednesday morning, 887,607 tests have returned negative since testing began in February.

The state health department has begun the transition to include antigen test results to the state's data collection and reporting system, they said Tuesday. A positive antigen test result is considered a "probable" case, while a positive molecular test result is consider a "confirmed" case.

Antigen testing is a rapid test that can be completed in less than an hour. Molecular tests usually take days before results are made available.

On July 15, Gov. Kevin Stitt said he had tested positive for COVID-19, making him the first governor in the country to test positive for the virus. He has since posted video updates of concerning his health and quarantine.

Oklahoma reported its first child death related to the virus on July 12. The child was a 13-year-old daughter of a soldier stationed at Fort Sill.

Shortly after the report of the girl's death, state Superintendent Joy Hofmeister recommended for all Oklahomans to wear face masks to allow the safely reopening of schools in the fall.

On June 30, Stitt wore a face mask and "strongly encouraged" Oklahomans to follow CDC guidelines pertaining to face masks.

More: Gov. Stitt Recommends Wearing Face Masks During Update Concerning COVID-19 In State

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

Related: Gov. Stitt Presents State's Coronavirus Figures To Show Oklahoma Is Ready To Reopen

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. 

Previous Day: OSDH: 833 New Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, 1 More Virus-Related Death Reported

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