The vaccine-alerts.com site has 41,000 users, who have received 1.25 million text alerts, as of Feb. 5.
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Q&A: State vaccination portal help and other guidance as Oklahoma enters Phase 4
We've heard from many of you about your concerns and asked health officials to provide answers to common questions.
Who is eligible currently?
As of March 29, all Oklahomans 16 and older will be vaccine-eligible.
What determines how many appointments are available?
The state is reliant on COVID-19 vaccines supplied by the federal government; officials reportedly are notified of shipments one week at a time. The limited supplies make it logistically impossible to schedule vaccinations weeks in advance. Oklahoma officials hope for a policy change that resupplies be based on states' “burn rate,” of how many shipped doses are distributed promptly.
States and tribal leaders are receiving federal shipments of vaccines based on population, OSDH leaders have said. Oklahomans with a CDIB card would go to a tribal health care center for vaccines.
I signed up at vaccinate.oklahoma.gov but never got an email confirmation of any kind — what should I do?
Confirmation emails are sent out in batches; users should receive one within 24-48 business hours of registering. “Emails are sent out over a span of time in the order in which registrations occurred,” the state said. “As a result, some emails may be delayed.” If you've waited at least 48 hours without having gotten a response, it could mean a data-entry error was made by the user during registration.
State and county health officials also have said most of these issues are resolved when the user checks their junk mail folder for messages flagged as spam.
I’ve been told I can make an appointment, but I went to the portal and there were none available within 100 miles — what do I do now?
First, if the portal has a link that says "No appointments available," click anyway. Possible glitches in the system might result in that message showing up even when appointments might be open outside the user's immediate area.
If you're still coming up empty, bookmark and keep checking the “Click here” link emailed to you, says deputy OSDH commissioner Keith Reed. The link does not expire and is the only method to check for appointment availability. No further emails will be sent.
When will new appointments be added to the online portal as the state is updated on the supply of vaccines expected to ship from the federal government?
A new round of scheduling should be available on the portal every Thursday. Starting 5 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday morning, new appointments are uploaded for distribution pods, said Mindy Spohn, OSDH vaccine facilitator.
Tulsa Health Department did not add appointments Feb. 10-11 for the coming week due to inclement weather.
Someone I know is unable to go online to access the vaccination portal — how can they make sure to get an appointment?
The state recommends that those unable to access the online portal ask a family member or friend with internet capabilities to assist them with the registration process.
Some churches have stepped up to help people without internet access register on the portal, as well as those who need a foreign-language interpreter. State officials have said a Spanish translation is forthcoming for the online vaccine portal.
How are 211 and LIFE Senior Services trying to help?
Call center staff at 211 can help Oklahomans connect to resources they may need to physically access the vaccine distribution sites, but they cannot schedule appointments. OSDH helped add to 211 staff, who can collect patients' contact info to pass on to local health departments for phone scheduling.
LIFE Senior Services is helping callers get scheduled by signing them up on the portal and receiving emails for the patient. Pictured: LIFE Senior Services activities director Amberly Villegas and Geneva Boling.
Who else is trying to help people book appointments?
Josh Wright, software developer from Norman, developed a text-alert system for Oklahomans as a companion site for the state's COVID-19 vaccine portal.
Can I show up at a vaccination site without an appointment to wait for someone to miss their scheduled time?
No, Tulsa Health Department and other sites say those without appointments are not welcome at known vaccination sites. THD says if someone does miss their appointment, those shots may be offered to first-responders in the area who have not been able to get vaccinated yet.
What happens if I am unable to make my scheduled appointment? Can it be changed?
Asking that residents strive to keep their bookings as time slots are in high demand, the state has said that those who miss their scheduled time will need to make a new appointment. Cancellations or scheduling changes can be made through the portal. “There’s been some difficulty with that,” Spohn said. “Sometimes you have to wait 24 hours to be able to get back in and redirect your appointment because it locks up. … That’s among fixes we’re working on on our end.”
At what point do I schedule my second dose or "booster shot"?
The answer seems to change depending on which site a patient received their first dose.
Second-dose appointments may be scheduled at the time of the first shot. It is not required to schedule booster doses through the portal. “Follow the instructions given when you got your first shot,” OSDH Deputy Commissioner Keith Reed said.
Second-dose appointments may also be made via the state portal, and users will be asked whether they need the Pfizer or Moderna shot. Some clinics have had scheduling issues for second doses, Spohn said, so officials are working to ensure those sites aren’t filling up with only first-dose appointments.
Tulsa Health Department says: “You are able to walk in for your second dose without an appt, provided you come at the same time as your first dose. Must bring your vaccination card with you.” Director Bruce Dart said those who got a Pfizer vaccine through Tulsa Health Department should try to come back to the same site 21 days after the prime dose; those who got Moderna should walk back into the same site 28 days after.
In Wagoner County, second-dose appointments cannot be made until one week before the patient is due for the booster shot.
I can't get an appointment for my booster dose when I am supposed to — is it OK to take it any later?
Those concerned about getting appointments exactly 21 or 28 days after their first dose don’t need to worry; if you’re a little late, it doesn’t cause you to have to restart the shots. You may just take a few more days to reach 95% immunity.
The state says it may take longer for second-dose appointments to show up in the system as those cannot be entered into the system weeks in advance. Because the timing of booster doses means a three- or four-week delay, those scheduling their booster dose via the online portal are told not expect to set the schedule right after the prime dose.
Can I choose whether I receive a Moderna or Pfizer shot?
Some clinics have both Pfizer and Moderna available, but basically it’s whatever is available at the time of the appointment at the site.
Will I be able to drive-through to get my vaccination or will I have to go inside a facility?
Mindy Spohn said the state is trying at each location to help patients with accessibility issues to be able to drive-through. “The problem with drive-throughs … it does limit our throughput because you have a 15-minute observation period.” She said some sites may have found ways to offer drive-through with observation, "but their ability to reach large numbers is limited because of that."
If I have already had COVID-19, do I still need to consider getting the vaccine?
The short answer is yes. Dr. Jennifer Clark, who leads Project ECHO’s COVID-19 data sessions, said the human body’s natural immunity isn’t fully reliable and can be erratic. She said the response a person’s body will have from the vaccine will be more reliable and robust relative to the body’s natural immune response. Monks recommends waiting 90 days after recovering, especially if those who received monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma.
Do I still need to practice the three W’s after getting my vaccination?
Yes, it is vital for Oklahomans to continue to wear masks, wash their hands and watch their distance even after being vaccinated. The vaccine effectively protects recipients, but recipients may still be able to spread the virus to others. The CDC has not yet determined if or when it will stop recommending that people wear masks and avoid close contact with others to help prevent community spread.
Can you be a carrier of the virus after receiving a vaccination?
"We have to assume the answer is yes, you can. In other infectious diseases, this happens pretty commonly, though in others it does not. It won’t be known for another few months as we’ve gotten lots of people vaccinated and then tested with viral swabs," Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation President Dr. Stephen Prescott said.
Why do I have to wait 15 minutes before being able to leave after my vaccination, and what side effects are common?
Any adverse reaction that could endanger the patient's health should be evident within 15 minutes, so those receiving the vaccine must agree to observation during that time. Dr. George Monks, president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, said possible side effects include mild pain or swelling at the injection site, true of any medicine injected into skin. Other possible side effects include mild fever, chills, tiredness and headache. Monks said side effects are almost always mild and are more common in younger people or when receiving the boost dose. Monks said one can think of the symptoms as a sign that the vaccine is working.
How many vaccine doses have gone to waste in Oklahoma?
State officials say there is no problem with expiring vaccines; doses arriving each week are already scheduled to be distributed the following week. “We don’t have any vaccine that’s sitting on the shelf,” says deputy OSDH commissioner Keith Reed. On Feb. 9, he said only 247 cumulative doses had been wasted due to broken or leading needles and vials.
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An average of 3,081 new infections are being confirmed daily across Oklahoma, with 1,637 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infections hospitalized as of the most recent survey.
What Oklahomans need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine while signing up in Phase 2
The number of cases in the state is now 370,149 (334,643 considered recovered) with 3,231 deaths from the virus.
Until Monday, TPD Capt. Mark Ohnesorge said, about 200 of 1,000 TPD employees had been vaccinated with appointments through other avenues, such as the Tulsa Health Department or Saint Francis Health System.
Elderly residents are frustrated with the process, which emphasizes technology over human effort. The most common complaint is that the system registers patients but never has available appointment times.
Across the state, 1,742 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infections remained hospitalized as of the most recent survey of facilities.
Phase 2 is open for health care providers, first responders and those 65 and older. Those with underlying health conditions younger than 65 are also in Phase 2, but Deputy OSDH Commissioner Keith Reed said older Oklahomans are already having issues signing up and the state doesn't want "an even bigger group competing with them to get appointments."
Tulsa-based MyHealth Access Network, which bid $19.9 million, filed a protest with the state on Jan. 11 after losing out in what it calls an “arbitrary” and “heavily flawed” bid process. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority awarded Orion Health a contract worth up to $49.8 million to become a new state-operated health information exchange.
An average of 2,714 new cases are being confirmed daily across Oklahoma, along with an average of 34 deaths daily.
Cherokee Nation has moved to a new phase in its distribution plan, adding teachers and citizens 55 and older. Osage Nation and Muscogee (Creek) Nation are still in the first tiers for priority groups.
Related: Oklahoma officials expect vaccination plan changes with new federal administration
Epidemiologists are unsure about the mutated virus — found in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Louisiana — and how effective current vaccines will be against the variant that's made infections skyrocket overseas.
"Yesterday’s numbers were 1,558 cases," Lance Frye said Wednesday. "A few days ago, we were at 4,000. That doesn’t seem right. That’s why we started looking into it."
The new rolling average for deaths reported daily, 37, surpassed the previous record again Thursday. Across the state, 1,722 patients are hospitalized — 449 in ICUs — with 32,771 cases currently considered active.
What Oklahomans need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine while signing up in Phase 2
The state's seven centers are preparing to once again take visitors after COVID-19 killed residents and forced them to lockdown.
The city is also making up to $6.5 million in grants available to nonprofits assisting those affected by the pandemic.
More than 200 health care partners in Tulsa County have registered to administer the vaccine once it is more widely available, Mayor G.T. Bynum said.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s commissioner of health confirmed a downward trend in new daily COVID-19 infections on Thursday.
"Is this the best we can do, Oklahoma?" said Broken Arrow resident Ray Pullmann.
Among newly reported deaths is a Hughes County woman age 18-35 and an Oklahoma County woman age 36-49, as well as eight from Tulsa County age 50 or older.
The group, led by local optometrist Robert Zoellner and ThriveTime radio show host Clay Clark, said masks cause oxygen deprivation. Terms of the dismissal call for both sides to pay their own attorney fees and costs.
The Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps is looking for both medical and nonmedical volunteers to help with reviewing forms, controlling traffic, registering participants, assisting the elderly, sanitizing, vaccinating participants and other duties.
After a Tulsa-based nonprofit reportedly has grown over the past decade to hold four-fifths of all medical records created in Oklahoma, the state has decided to build its own health information exchange — and at a higher bid cost.
With 292 deaths reported over the past seven days, Oklahoma's 7-day average of reported deaths has exceeded 40 per day for the first time since the pandemic began.
The Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps is looking for both medical and nonmedical volunteers to help with reviewing forms, controlling traffic, registering participants, assisting the elderly, sanitizing, vaccinating participants and other duties.
"I'm not going to be a guinea pig."
Dr. Angela Hawkins heard this refrain more than a few times as she discussed the COVID-19 vaccine with her patients.
Across the state, 1,148 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infections remained hospitalized Sunday, the most recent data available. The number represents the lowest the metric has been since early November.
The temporary pause in vaccine allocations is intended to allow CVS Health and Walgreens to catch up on the doses already set aside for residents and staff in long-term care facilities.
THD is adding some temporary employees to expand capabilities, which includes resolving an issue of patients standing in line outside in the cold and making accommodations for those who aren't able to stand for a lengthy period of time, according to Executive Director Bruce Dart.
A total of 3,323 Oklahomans have died from the virus since March. Among fatal cases reported Tuesday were five Tulsa County residents age 65 or older and two men age 36-49 from Cleveland and McClain counties.
Less than 30,000 infections remain active, a drop of more than 4,000 cases in the past week. Of the 65 fatal cases reported Wednesday, 17 of the deaths occurred Dec. 14-Dec. 31, and 39 died in the past week.
The number of cases in the state is now 389,472 (356,386 considered recovered) with 3,547 deaths from the virus.
Students in grades nine through 12 will pivot to distance learning starting Thursday, the district said. Along with Union High School, the switch extends to the Union Freshman Academy and the district’s alternative education site.
Those with symptoms, as well as any other household members, should stay home while awaiting test results, according to the Tulsa Health Department.
A state official said Wednesday that Tulsa County sites "were holding more of the second doses than we prefer." The change should help curb the number of Tulsans making long road trips for their first doses.
From manufacture to transportation to distribution to technology to communication, the system isn't up to the standards of a nation that is weary and afraid and expects more from its local, state and federal governments during a crisis, the editorial says.
"I am phase two eligible and fairly tech savvy, but it is clear to me that ease-of-use was not a prime criterion in the package’s specification," said Tulsa resident Malcolm Taylor.
Mayor Robert Lee said in a Facebook post that the meeting was canceled on advice about safety concerns from the Jenks Police Department.
A total of 3,423 Oklahomans have died from the virus since March. Seven patients from Tulsa County age 65 or older were among 35 newly reported deaths Thursday.
The incentive, a $75 bonus, will be paid to employees who receive the vaccine. Love's said the decision covers all of its employees.
Those who have exhausted their regular unemployment benefits can receive an additional 11 weeks of benefits, for a maximum of 24 weeks, under the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program.
Meanwhile, the State Health Department also announced Thursday that 10% of eligible adults in the state — about 373,279 people — have received at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The TPS superintendent, Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association president, and president of the local chapter of the American Federation of Teachers issued a joint statement Thursday afternoon asking for help to get all teachers and support staff vaccinated faster.
Nine patients 50 or older from Tulsa County were among newly reported fatal cases, as well as an Oklahoma County man age 18-35, a Garfield County man 18-35 and a Grady County man 36-49.
Distributions are paused to the pharmacies if the state finds gaps between administered doses and allocated doses. “We need to get those vaccines out of freezers and into arms," Deputy Health Commissioner Keith Reed said.
Results from a large statewide sample of blood tests for antibodies show more than one-quarter of the state’s population of 4 million had mounted an immune response, said Dr. Jared Taylor.
The inequity is underscored by federal data acknowledging Black, Latino and American Indian adults get infected and ultimately die from COVID-19 at rates far exceeding their share of the population.
The count typically takes place in Tulsa on a single night in January, but this year the team tackled a new methodology due to COVID-19.
While overall cases and hospitalizations contine to decline, deaths related to the coronavirus have jumped by 9.7% since Jan. 22.
As of Sunday, 1,198 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infections remained hospitalized across the state.
“Based on our current COVID trajectory and, of course, subject to school board approval, I believe we can bring our students back for in-person learning before the end of February,” Superintendent Deborah Gist said at a press conference Monday.
"Somehow I hope changes can be made so that folks won’t have to stand in long lines like this for the second dose," said Tulsa resident Jay Stevenson.
A man in the 36-49 age range from Tulsa County was among newly reported fatal cases, along with a man 36-49 from Canadian County. The seven-day rolling average of new cases reported daily now stands at 2,249.
Pregnant women are at higher risk for hospitalization and death from COVID-19 than people who are not pregnant, Dr. Dana Stone, an Oklahoma-City based obstetrician-gynecologist, said.
Population immunity from infections and vaccinations, as well as mitigation measures, have gotten Oklahoma to the tipping point and on the downward path — potentially to stay.
Oklahoma OB-GYN explains why pregnant, nursing women should get COVID-19 vaccinations
Mayor Robert Lee, who supported the city's mandate — which expired Sunday — told the Tulsa World Tuesday that "it is expected to pass" during the next City Council meeting, when the issue is once again part of the administrative agenda.
A Sequoyah woman age 18-36 was among deaths reported Wednesday; four patients age 36-49, including a Tulsa County woman, were among newly reported fatalities.
The decline in the number of unemployed Tulsa metro workers from 32,493 in November to 28,181 in December largely mirrored the decline in the civilian workforce.
One Hope Ministry at the Rose Bowl in Tulsa distributed more than 1,000 free vaccines through a partnership with IMMY Labs.
Only 75 pharmacies will get the doses, including some Walmart sites. Nearly 13% of Oklahomans older than 16 have received at least one COVID-19 vaccination through the state or tribal health care centers.
'Our only hope': Free COVID-19 vaccines distributed at the Rose Bowl
The Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency cited a lack of documentation to justify the spending and noted that a significant amount of the relief funds was used for pre-existing needs and government modernization.
The seven-day rolling average of new cases daily now stands at 2,234. As of Wednesday night, 1,008 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infections remained hospitalized across the state, with 315 in ICU beds.
The POD would be administered in partnership with the federal government and provide at least 6,000 shots a day.
A draft report by LOFT is critical about how officials spent some of the more than $1.2 billion in federal COVID-19 aid.
"You've got to go and check and check and check, and there's nothing ever available," says the developer of the alert system, now with 41,000 users. "I have friends that were taking off work so they could watch the website."
Asbury is starting a series of weekly vaccine clinics in partnership with Passport Health. The Osage Nation clinic welcomes current patients to a drive-through vaccine event.
Among newly reported fatalities were three residents age 36-49 from Lincoln, Rogers and Delaware counties. As of Thursday, 1,051 patients with confirmed infections remained hospitalized, with 302 in ICU beds.
Nearly seven weeks after COVID-19 vaccines reached Oklahoma nursing homes, first doses have been delivered to residents and staff at nearly ev…
Experts say Oklahoma and the U.S. must take advantage now to slow down the novel disease's spread as much as possible to earn dividends later — but COVID isn't going away anytime soon.
The Winters case is one of five teacher misconduct cases in recent years whose handling by the Oologah superintendent and school board resulted in sanctions by the Oklahoma State Board of Education. #oklaed
"You've got to go and check and check and check, and there's nothing ever available," says the developer of the alert system, now with 41,000 users. "I have friends that were taking off work so they could watch the website."
Dr. Jared Taylor said Oklahomans should assume at least one mutation is circulating here. He asks for more vigilance — even as cases and hospitalizations are falling — to prevent a resurgence.
Dr. Lawrence Lee has been treating COVID patients for going on a year now.
Several school districts are all scheduled to start in-person instruction again next week after each moved their campuses to distance learning in January due to COVID-19 concerns within their communities.
Oklahoma reported 51 more deaths and 2,053 more cases related to the COVID-19 virus.
Since March, 3,813 Oklahomans have died from the virus. The state’s cumulative case total now is 403,954.
As of Sunday night, 928 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infections remained hospitalized across the state.
ZIP codes in the dark red for “severe extreme” COVID-19 spread, 36 at its peak, have dropped in three straight weeks to 12. More than 10% of Tulsa County's population has tested positive.
ZIP codes in the dark red for “severe extreme” COVID-19 spread, 36 at its peak, have dropped in three straight weeks to 12. More than 10% of Tulsa County's population has tested positive.
Among newly reported fatalities: a Canadian County woman 36-49, a Cleveland County man 36-49 and a Pottawatomie County woman 36-49.
State Health Department officials say they have been informed that the federal government is not supplying additional vaccines for the clinics.
COVID-19 shows decline in Tulsa area, including Owasso, through ZIP code alert map over past 3 weeks
Owasso decreased from “extreme severe risk” to “severe” in the Tulsa Health Department's latest update. Collinsville still remains in the “extreme severe risk” category.
Those who had been scheduled to get a first or second dose today will receive an email to be rescheduled; Tulsa health officials say individuals don't need to go back to the state portal to book a new appointment.
The Healthier Oklahoma Coalition on Tuesday dedicated a portion of its weekly virtual news conference to the subject of what is commonly referred to as long-haul syndrome, or long COVID, or long-haulers. The majority of people do recover as outpatients, but not all.
Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies in 43 Oklahoma locations, including three in Tulsa, will begin to administer COVID-19 vaccinations through the U.S. Federal Retail Pharmacy Program starting Friday
The seven-day rolling average of new cases daily in Oklahoma now stands at 1,920. A man age 36-49 was among eight new fatalities from Tulsa County, as well as an Osage County man 36-49.
Tulsa appointments were canceled later in the morning Thursday. The Veterans Administration closed its vaccination clinics in Muskogee and Tulsa and canceled appointments Thursday.
Oklahomans of all ages with co-morbidities, about 1 million people, are included now along with the high-risk populations being vaccinated, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Thursday.
Most deaths reported Thursday occurred in November due to delayed reporting by facilities and additional time taken to investigate cases previously deferred, including deaths that occurred out of state.
Oklahomans of all ages with co-morbidities, about 1 million people, are included now along with the high-risk populations being vaccinated, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Thursday.
State Purchasing Director Dan Sivard denied each of MyHealth’s protest grounds as without merit, characterizing them in a Jan. 26 letter as the opinions of a losing vendor.
Tulsa-area educators and district officials say employee access to COVID vaccines are critical for returning and keeping as many Oklahoma children in school as possible. #oklaed
Eastern Oklahoma's 211 center is seeing unprecedented traffic with "literally just seconds between calls pouring in," officials said.
As of Thursday night, 883 patients with confirmed infections remained hospitalized, with 256 in ICUs — the lowest number of hospitalizations reported in Oklahoma since Nov. 2.
Oklahomans of all ages with co-morbidities, about 1 million people, are included now along with the high-risk populations being vaccinated, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Thursday.
The Healthier Oklahoma Coalition on Tuesday dedicated a portion of its weekly virtual news conference to the subject of what is commonly referred to as long-haul syndrome, or long COVID, or long-haulers. The majority of people do recover as outpatients, but not all.
On the heels of a similar state move, the Cherokee Nation is also expanding eligibility to citizens of all ages who are teachers patients with underlying health conditions. Veterans 65 and older are eligible through the VA.
Oklahomans of all ages with co-morbidities, about 1 million people, are included now along with the high-risk populations being vaccinated, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Thursday.
Tulsa-area educators and district officials say employee access to COVID vaccines are critical for returning and keeping as many Oklahoma children in school as possible. #oklaed
The seven-day rolling average of new cases daily in Oklahoma has now fallen below 1,500 another metric that has been dropping since reaching averages comparable to early November.
An additional 1,266 cases were reported Sunday. The state’s cumulative case total now is 413,542, with 387,837 considered recovered.
Tulsa-area educators and district officials say employee access to COVID vaccines are critical for returning and keeping as many Oklahoma children in school as possible. #oklaed
For the first time since late December, the state reported fewer than 1,000 new cases confirmed in one day: 730. More than 600 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized as of Sunday, and more than 21,000 infections remain active.
Twenty more Oklahomans’ deaths due to COVID-19 were reported Tuesday as the state’s rates in various virus-related metrics continued a downward trend.
Thursday and Friday vaccine clinics at Expo Square are expected to continue as scheduled.
A total of 1,078 new cases were reported after the state saw fewer than 1,000 new cases confirmed Monday and Tuesday, respectively, for the first time since late December.
Starting the week of Feb. 22, 25% more Pfizer vaccines are promised on top of a 20% increase already anticipated from both Pfizer and Moderna.
COVID-19: 28 more deaths reported in Oklahoma with 1,078 new cases
Two women in the 36-49 age group from Tulsa and Comanche County were among the recently reported deaths. The average for new cases, 1,011, has been steadily decreasing this month.
“The weather has been a setback, but only a temporary one,” said Keith Reed, Keith Reed, deputy commissioner of the state health department. “We will make up ground rapidly and continue to get vaccine into arms of Oklahomans.”
Twenty more Oklahomans’ deaths due to COVID-19 were reported Friday as the state's rolling average of new daily confirmed cases of the virus dropped below 1,000 for the first time in five months.
The state’s cumulative case total now is 419,354, with 399,817 considered recovered.
"Hopefully we've learned our lesson that quickly reopening and returning to 'normal social behavior' does not help us," said Dr. Jennifer Clark during her COVID-19 presentation Wednesday for Project ECHO.
The state's online vaccine portal opened Sunday to members of the next priority group in Phase 2 of the state's vaccination plan to allow scheduling of appointments as soon as Monday.
Dr. David Chansolme, medical director of infection prevention at INTEGRIS Health, said early lab studies suggest the immune response might not be as aggressive, but that the vaccine-induced antibodies do stop the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants from replicating — kill them, in other words.
The state’s rolling average of daily reported new cases now stands at 863, the lowest the metric has been since mid-September.
"Hopefully we've learned our lesson that quickly reopening and returning to 'normal social behavior' does not help us," said Dr. Jennifer Clark during her COVID-19 presentation Wednesday for Project ECHO.
Oklahoma health officials pledge "highly localized approach" to teacher vaccine rollout, but no one at the state nor county would say how Broken Arrow has secured 1,400 doses already #oklaed
The state's rolling average of daily new cases is 797, which is the lowest the metric has been since early September.
Thirty-four of 42 ZIP codes are in orange, which still represents high levels of spread.
Oklahoma health officials pledge "highly localized approach" to teacher vaccine rollout, but no one at the state nor county would say how Broken Arrow has secured 1,400 doses already #oklaed
Although the family is excited at the prospect of in-classes starting soon, the last 11 months have been a learning experience for everyone at the Smith house.
A total of 14,040 cases remain active. Nearly 402,000 patients have recovered, and 4,227 deaths from the virus have been recorded.
Thirty-four of 42 ZIP codes are in orange, which still represents high levels of spread.
A Norman hotel brought in nearly 10,000 Oklahomans for a vaccination megapod as IMMY Labs partnered with the state health department and other entities to host a large-scale clinic.
Among the recently reported deaths was a Grady County man age 18-35. Almost 650 patients with COVID-19 remained hospitalized across the state Tuesday, with 173 in ICU beds.
Tulsa Public Schools return to in-person learning after 11-month pandemic hiatus
The Dallas-based company has refinery in Tulsa.
Among the recently reported deaths — 26 of which occurred since Jan. 1, according to state data — was a Tulsa County woman in the 36-49 age group.
"We are excited about the sequencing ... but in the grand scheme of things, that's only relevant if people seek out testing" when appropriate, he says, even after being vaccinated.
The Cherokee Nation has administered more than 24,000 vaccine doses. The Osage Nation now will vaccinate any Native person 18 or older, regardless if they're a patient of the tribe's clinic in Pawhuska.
Hospitalizations have ticked back up, with 571 COVID-infected patients in hospitals across the state and 162 in ICU beds. An Oklahoma County woman age 36-49 is among newly reported fatal cases.
Eight of the new deaths reported were in Tulsa County, which now has surpassed 700 people who have died from the disease.
The new deaths include an additional eight in Tulsa County, the health department said.
An epidemiologist's modeling estimates that nearly half of Oklahomans have some level of immunity to COVID-19 through either infection or vaccination.
The CDC on Friday reported 1,006,064 total doses so far in Oklahoma, ranking the state No. 7 in the nation for doses administered per capita.
706 new cases of the virus were reported Monday. Among the new deaths reported were a Johnston County man and Rogers County woman in the 18-35 age group.
Related: Oklahoma reaches 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered
Tulsa County has reported 70,949 cases and 704 deaths since the pandemic reached Oklahoma a year ago.
The state expects this week to receive 31,500 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The agreement comes on the recommendation of the Tulsa Health Department as part of its collaboration with the district.
A growing gap between deaths reported by the state and the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics — 4,478 versus 6,970, respectively — has drawn attention on social media.
Thirteen of the deaths were Tulsa County residents: a woman 50-64, three women 65 or older and nine men 65 or older. Two Oklahomans in the 36-49 age group were among recently reported COVID-19 fatalities.
Nationwide, IHS has provided more than 500,000 vaccine doses since mid-December, with 135,000 doses administered through federal and tribal operated facilities within the Oklahoma City Service Area.
If mask ordinances continue as currently enforced for at least the next three months, Oklahoma could dodge more than 46,000 observed cases and 25,000 hospitalizations, and more than 450 deaths, an epidemiologist projected.
Editorial: New vaccine to ramp up Oklahoma rollout by month's end
Mayor Craig Thurmond, who had voted against such a resolution last month, voted this time with Vice Mayor Scott Eudey and Councilor Johnnie Parks in favor of the resolution.
The city's mask mandate is set to expire at the end of April.
Related: Broken Arrow council passes mask resolution 'encouraging' masks in public
Wednesday marked the first day the Oklahoma State Department of Health began reporting COVID-19 deaths recorded by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.
“Despite constant criticism from the media and the left, I never once entertained a mask mandate here in Oklahoma. I always trusted Oklahomans to do the right thing and keep each other safe. And they have,” Stitt wrote in the piece titled, “I Agree With Gov. Abbott — That’s Why Oklahoma Reopened Last Summer.”
Across the state, 896 new cases of the virus were reported Wednesday, bringing the rolling average of daily reported cases to 641, the lowest it has been since mid-July.
Saturday will mark one year since a Tulsa County man tested positive for the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Oklahoma.
OSDH reported 428,997 cases have been confirmed across the state since March 2020 with 411,624 cases considered recovered.
For the eighth day in a row, fewer than 1,000 new infections were included in Oklahoma’s daily COVID-19 reporting.
The expanded category includes city, county and state officials and leaders and those in congregate care facilities, such as prisons, jails and homeless shelters, Deputy Health Commissioner Keith Reed said Friday.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health on Saturday reported 978 infections, bringing the 7-day rolling average of daily reported cases to 623.
A total of 12,038 cases remained active across the state Monday.
Phase 3 includes teachers, staff and residents in other educational settings, such as higher education and vocational education, and critical infrastructure personnel.
Related: Tulsa Health Department expands vaccine access in minority communities
Related: Anonymous donor gives 600,000 masks to Oklahoma public schools
The Health Department said it has secured additional vaccine specifically for this initiative and set up a vaccination clinic at the Tulsa Health Department's North Regional Health and Wellness Center.
A total of 11,637 cases remained active. State official have confirmed 4,701 deaths through investigation and will update that figure weekly as the CDC's numbers, based on death certificates, are updated daily.
The updated guidelines state that long-term care and assisted living centers may allow each resident to designate one or more "essential caregivers," who may make in-person visits.
The tribe's area includes all or portions of Tulsa, Adair, Cherokee, Craig, Delaware, Mayes, McIntosh, Muskogee, Nowata, Ottawa, Rogers, Sequoyah, Wagoner, and Washington counties.
The state’s seven-day rolling average of new cases is 644 — up for a second consecutive day from Monday's lowest recorded average since mid-July of 611, according to OSDH data.
The state’s seven-day rolling average of new cases is 615, heading back in the direction of Monday’s lowest recorded average since mid-July of 611 after two days of increase, according to Oklahoma State Department of Health data.
OSDH reported 432,483 cases have been confirmed across the state, with 415,852 cases considered recovered.
The state’s seven-day rolling average of new cases is 544, the lowest recorded average since early July, according to OSDH data.
"For those of us who hate what this pandemic has put our community through for the last year, this is the best way for us to stomp it into the ground," he said.
So far in March, county ZIP codes have been predominantly yellow for moderate risk of COVID-19 — a level of spread not seen in the Tulsa Health Department's weekly update since Oct. 2.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 625 new COVID-19 infections on Saturday, marking the 16th consecutive day the state reported fewer than 1,000 new cases daily.
A little more than 300 new COVID-19 infections were reported Monday, marking the 18th consecutive day the state reported fewer than 1,000 new cases daily.
“We had a lot of people early on from outlying areas who were unsure about traffic in Tulsa or how to get where they were going," said Eileen Bradshaw, LIFE Senior Services president and CEO. She said the funding will allow for an estimated 2,000 round trips.
The state’s seven-day rolling average of new cases is 513, according to OSDH data.
The state's report accounts for 87 newly confirmed deaths since last week.
The events will be held March 26-27 in Tulsa and April 13 in Quapaw.
The rumor that a COVID-19 vaccination will void your life insurance policy, apparently started by vaccine skeptics, has been widely circulated on social media in recent weeks. “This is simply not true,” Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready said in a press release Thursday.
OKSHINE Executive Director Carter Kimble said the move isn't an increase in cost, just a shifting of finances for an existing contract.
As of Friday, the health system had distributed more than 50,000 total vaccines to eligible recipients since December 2020.
The consolidation of Orion Health's two state contracts on Wednesday created a spending cap of $70.9 million moving forward for the OKSHINE project, with $20.3 million of that limit previously earmarked under an initiative called Health-e Oklahoma.
Tri County Tech used a $1 million grant for "Skills to Rebuild Scholarships" to get hundreds of unemployed and underemployed workers into accelerated job training programs.
Officials expressed cautious optimism about the downward trend of cases but continued to encourage all those eligible to get vaccinated against the virus.
The report was released by the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency.
Opinion: Half of Republican men say they don't want the vaccine. They're mooching off the rest of us
Millions of elderly Americans are still hunting for appointments to get vaccinated against COVID-19, columnist Doyld McManus writes. Millions of younger Americans are waiting impatiently for their turn in line. But there's one group whose members are far more skeptical about the vaccine — and in some cases are actively refusing to get jabbed at all. That group is Republicans, especially GOP men.
Watch Now: Gov. Kevin Stitt celebrates move to Phase 4 of state's vaccination plan with his own shot
The state leader joked about disliking shots as he craned his neck away from the arm a nurse was prepping for inoculation, but a look of surprise flashed across his masked face when she proclaimed, "That's it."
Dr. Aaron Wendelboe said nearly 1 million residents have received at least one dose of vaccine and asked that people continue to wear masks until the state has at least doubled that to 2 million people — perhaps three months from now.
`A full bounce back in employment for the leisure and hospitality sector likely will require increased mobility and foot traffic,' says Chad Wilkerson, VP of the Oklahoma City branch of the Kansas City Federal Reserve.
"We can't let our guard down, and we've seen it happen before," said Dr. Dale Bratzler, OU's chief COVID officer. "Cases go up on the coasts, and that slowly trickles into Middle America."
The future of COVID-19 is uncertain, but persuading a vast majority of people to undergo vaccination will make the outlook much rosier — and the sooner the better.
The future of COVID-19 is uncertain, but persuading a vast majority of people to undergo vaccination will make the outlook much rosier — and the sooner the better.
State university public health experts address concerns, debunk myths about COVID-19 vaccines (copy)
The future of COVID-19 is uncertain, but persuading a vast majority of people to undergo vaccination will make the outlook much rosier — and the sooner the better.
The addition of about 1,300 positive cases and 1,700 deaths is due to a data transmission error and some reporting changes, the Oklahoma State Department of Health reported.
“This is the right thing to do for our neighbors,” Deputy Health Commissioner Keith Reed said.
Vaccine update: 10 charts that show how Oklahoma is coping with COVID-19
The Biden administration said Friday morning it is teaming with Oklahoma state government to open a COVID-19 community vaccination center at Tulsa Community College's Northeast Campus, 3727 E. Apache St.
Mayor G.T. Bynum says he supports a recommendation from the Tulsa Health Department to allow the mandate to expire as the city's COVID-19 trends remain good and there has been no spike in cases resulting from spring break.
The Biden administration said Friday morning it is teaming with Oklahoma state government to open a COVID-19 community vaccination center at Tulsa Community College's Northeast Campus, 3727 E. Apache St.
The Biden administration said Friday morning it is teaming with Oklahoma state government to open a COVID-19 community vaccination center at Tulsa Community College's Northeast Campus, 3727 E. Apache St.
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation also has an upcoming vaccination event in Tulsa.
"The lesson I would recommend that people really take out of this is how sensitive our monitoring system is,” Deputy Health Commissioner Keith Reed said.
State officials announced Tuesday that seven in-person job fairs and one virtual job fair will be offered across the state in May with the first one beginning in Tulsa.
More than 10,000 cases remained active in the state as of Saturday, about 1,000 of which were in Tulsa County, according to state data.
Vaccinations will continue to be a driving force in which direction the data trends take.
In Oklahoma, COVID-19 infections of 63 fully vaccinated people have been reported to the state Health Department, including one case of a person who was positive for a variant strain of concern.
Councilor Kara Joy McKee announced her plan after failing to persuade her council colleagues to adopt measures she said would help ensure public awareness of COVID-19 trends.
Deputy Health Commissioner Keith Reed said the CDC and the FDA have authorized use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine with a warning label explaining the potential for a rare side effect.
Dart discussed metrics during Tulsa City Councilor Kara Joy McKee's first weekly virtual COVID-19 session on her professional Facebook page.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Exchange Center at Tulsa Expo Square.
An OU Health pediatric infectious disease expert said it's important to have a good grasp of which variants are spreading in the state because they can have disproportionate effects among different population demographics.
State Health Commissioner Keith Reed said there is a wide network of pandemic providers and partners that are able to store the Pfizer vaccine for ease of access, which is helped by a relaxation of cold storage requirements.
“We welcome the opportunity to expand the protection offered by the COVID-19 vaccine to more community members,” said THD Executive Director Bruce Dart.
"Adolescents who are fully vaccinated can safely participate in summer camp, school sports and remain in the classroom this fall even after exposure to a case of COVID-19," said State Epidemiologist Jolianne Stone. "The data shows that while transmission of COVID-19 can still occur once you're vaccinated, it's very unlikely."
Those who received a dose of affected Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine May 3-17 will be contacted by a THD representative to schedule an appointment to repeat the dose.
Those who received a dose of affected Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine May 3-17 will be contacted by a THD representative to schedule an appointment to repeat the dose.
The texts are sent by real people and will say they have been sent on behalf of the Health Department.
The Muscogee Nation Department of Health is partnering with Bristow Public Schools, Glenpool Public Schools and Sand Springs Public Schools to offer drive-through COVID-19 vaccination events in June that are open to people age 12 and up.
OSDH in a news release Tuesday stated that the FDA's decision to set the expiration dates at four and half months instead of three was made based on data from ongoing studies.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 1,102 new cases for a one-week period that ended Saturday, a 10% jump over the previous week.
“We’re seeing a real rise in cases, particularly in northeast Oklahoma, I think Tulsa has become a part of that, also,” said Dr. Dale Bratzler, the University of Oklahoma’s chief COVID officer.