OSDH: 2,179 New COVID-19 Cases Reported Statewide, 218 Virus-Related Deaths Added To Provisional Death Count

Two hundred-eighteen virus-related deaths and 2,179 new coronavirus cases were reported in the state since Saturday, according to weekly numbers released by the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

A total of 1,026,650 COVID-19 cases have been reported since the beginning of the pandemic. The state said the new total cases number is comprised of 955 new reported cases between Feb. 27 and March 5 in addition to older cases that were delayed in their reporting by OSDH.

The provisional death count rose to 15,053, the state health department said Thursday.

The rolling seven-day average of new cases is 136. The health department said Thursday the 136 represents the average daily number of new cases from last week, with either a specimen collection date or symptom onset date between Feb. 27 and March 5

Currently, 2,335 Oklahomans are considered active cases in the state, OSDH said.

As of March 9, 5,740,465 total vaccine doses have been administered with 2,775,526 Oklahomans receiving at least one dose. More than 2,223,000 Oklahomans have completed both inoculations or are fully vaccinated, making 56.2 % of the eligible Oklahoma population is fully vaccinated.

About 343 Oklahomans are currently in acute care OSDH-licensed facilities with 83 in the ICU and 14 are currently in other types of facilities due to COVID-19. Out of the 343 hospitalizations, 37 are pediatric hospitalizations, OSDH said.

Previous Day: OSDH: 1,113 New COVID-19 Cases Reported Statewide, 49 Virus-Related Deaths Added To Provisional Death Count

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The Oklahoma State Department of Health announced March 7, 2022 that it is transitioning away from daily updates on COVID-19 and will instead provide weekly updates each Thursday.

Related: OSDH Discontinues Daily COVID-19 Updates

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.