OSDH: 8,655 New COVID-19 Cases Reported Statewide, 81 Virus-Related Deaths Added To Provisional Death Count

Eighty-one virus-related deaths and 8,655 new coronavirus cases were reported in the state since Thursday, according to daily numbers released by the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

A total of 953,116 COVID-19 cases have been reported since the beginning of the pandemic, and the provisional death count rose to 13,210, the state health department said Friday.

The health department said XXX of Friday’s reported cases were delayed in bring reported to the OSDH and are more than two weeks old.

The rolling seven-day average of new cases is 10,396, the health department said.

Currently, 114,510 Oklahomans are considered active cases in the state, OSDH said.

As of Jan. 25, 5,560,885 total vaccine doses have been administered with 2,724,542 Oklahomans receiving at least one dose. More than 2,171,000 Oklahomans have completed both inoculations or are fully vaccinated, making 54.9% of the eligible Oklahoma population is fully vaccinated.

About 2,077 Oklahomans are currently in acute care OSDH-licensed facilities with 391 in the ICU and 166 are currently in other types of facilities due to COVID-19. Out of the 2,077 hospitalizations, 98 are pediatric hospitalizations, OSDH said.

Friday’s reported rise in hospitalizations is due to some hospitals reporting a full week’s worth of data in one day versus the daily reports the state health department said it normally expects.

Previous Day: OSDH: 13,428 New COVID-19 Cases Reported Statewide, 4 Virus-Related Deaths Added To Provisional Death Count

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Stitt released a statement on Nov. 7, 2020 and asked Oklahomans "to do the right thing" and to follow CDC guidelines -- practice social distancing, wear a face mask and wash your hands regularly -- to help slow the spread.

On Sept. 8, 2020, the state health department said it has begun the transition to include antigen test results in the state's data collection and reporting system. A positive antigen test result is considered a "probable" case, while a positive molecular test result is considered 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, 2020, 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, 2020. 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, 2020, 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

Stitt said April 28, 2020, that 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. 

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