Oklahoma’s 7-day rolling average declined Sunday after more than 800 new coronavirus cases were reported. The state also saw two new deaths, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
Oklahoma added 823 new, confirmed infections following the state’s latest reporting. The total was the second consecutive day since Sept. 17 that the state didn’t reach at least 1,000 reported daily cases.
As a result of the weekend dip, the statewide rolling seven-day average dropped to 1,075 cases.
The death toll in the state rose to 1,006, with 84,333 cases confirmed since March.
Tulsa County saw 94 new cases to bring the county’s seven-day rolling average to 130.
Health Department officials reported 590 patients were hospitalized with suspected or confirmed infections as of Friday in a survey of facilities across the state.
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The state’s latest weekly epidemiology report indicated that total cases between Sept. 18 through Thursday increased by 19.8% to go along with 51 additional deaths.
In a news conference last week, Gov. Kevin Stitt pointed out that active cases are a helpful measurement of the virus’s course in the state; cases are considered active until after 14 days following a positive test. With 12,752 active cases reported Saturday, the percentage of active infections compared to the cumulative total is at about 15% after hovering around 13-14% in the weeks prior to Stitt’s comment.
COVID-19 by the numbers
The novel coronavirus has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The data below is current as of 8 p.m. Sunday.
Tulsa County
Confirmed cases: 16,887 (+94)
Deaths: 160 (0)
Seven-day rolling average: 130
Active cases: 1,477
Hospitalizations: 244
State of Oklahoma
Confirmed cases: 84,333 (+823)
Deaths: 1,006 (+2)
Active cases: 12,752 (+136)
Seven-day rolling average: 1,074
Hospitalizations: 590
United States
Confirmed cases: 7,113,666
Deaths: 204,750
Worldwide
Confirmed cases: 32,977,556
Deaths: 996,096
Sources: Oklahoma State Department of Health, Tulsa Health Department, Johns Hopkins University of Medicine
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Gov. Kevin Stitt and Department of Corrections director Scott Wood on Sept. 22 said a number of factors including public safety and state law are considered
Interactive graphic: See number of active COVID-19 cases by county
COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues
COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues
How it spreads, who's at risk
Studies have shown many infected people show no symptoms or have symptoms so mild they may go undetected; those people can still transmit COVID-19 to others while asymptomatic.
Data from China show that about 20% of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 require hospitalization.
The disease can be fatal, especially for vulnerable populations: those older than 65, living in a nursing home or long-term care facility, and anyone with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or obesity.
Science of virus spread
COVID-19 is spread mainly from person to person via respiratory droplets produced by an infected person. Spread is most likely when people are in close contact, within about 6 feet. A person might also be infected with COVID-19 after touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their face. According to the CDC, evidence suggests the novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces.
List of symptoms
The CDC recently expanded its list of possible symptoms of COVID-19. The symptoms can appear from two days to two weeks after exposure.
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms and will continue to be updated by the CDC. One symptom not included is "purple toes," which someone may experience with no other symptoms, sometimes several weeks after the acute phase of an infection is over. The coloration and pain is caused by a lack of blood flow to the toes caused by excessive blood clotting, a late-stage concern with COVID-19 infections.
Kinds of testing
Those getting tested may experience different kinds of swabs. The viral test, known as PCR, involves a deep nasal swab that can be painful.
Other tests that require less-invasive swabs may produce results faster, but with less accuracy. These should not be used diagnostically.
It is not yet known whether COVID-19 antibodies can protect someone being infected again or how long protection might last.
The 'serious seven'
The "serious seven" refer to close contact environments where residents should take extra precautions if they choose to attend. The seven are gyms, weddings, house gatherings, bars, funerals, faith-based activities and other small events, according to Tulsa Health Department Director Bruce Dart.
Treatments being investigated
The pandemic has inspired a wave of young students to apply for medical school at record levels.
Convalescent serum therapy
Some patients are receiving convalescent serum, meaning the antibodies made by people who have recovered after a COVID-19 infection. Antibody-rich blood plasma is being given to severely or critically ill COVID-19 patients, including Ascension St. John, Saint Francis Health System, OSU Center for Health Sciences and Hillcrest HealthCare System in Tulsa.
From June to July, requests for convalescent plasma from the Oklahoma Blood Institute multiplied seven-fold.
Recovery, as defined by CDC
To be considered recovered (without a test), these three things must happen, the CDC advises:
- No fever for at least 72 hours (three full days of normal temperature without the use of medicine)
- Other symptoms improved (no more cough, etc.)
- At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared
