In rural Oklahoma, some medical professionals are performing treatments with which they aren't familiar or comfortable. Some patient transfers for higher levels of care are delayed by several hours or even a couple of days.
The record number of COVID-19 infections across the state continued Sunday after the Oklahoma Department of Health reported 3,923 new cases and 12 more deaths.
COVID-19: 3,923 new cases, 12 more deaths; record statewide virus surge continues
Bed capacity fluctuates regularly, and hospitals can adjust according to the demand, officials say.
“It’s obviously not definitely known whether it’s going to work or not, but it’s quite possible that this will have a revolutionizing effect not just on SARS-CoV-2 but potentially down the line treatment of other types of things because it’s a very novel drug,” said Dr. Anuj Malik, director of infection control at Ascension St. John.
Dr. John Armitage, Oklahoma Blood Institute’s president and CEO, said the nonprofit about three weeks ago reached the point of having enough of the plasma on hand to provide it quickly upon request for doctors to transfuse into seriously or critically ill patients.
Dr. John Armitage, Oklahoma Blood Institute’s president and CEO, said the nonprofit about three weeks ago reached the point of having enough of the plasma on hand to provide it quickly upon request for doctors to transfuse into seriously or critically ill patients.
Oklahoma Blood Institute collected its first Tulsa plasma donation Tuesday. OBI's statewide registry had 80 people who had signed up, with the first plasma sample donation announced April 9. The American Red Cross has two donors scheduled to give this week in Tulsa, which will make three after its first plasma was collected April 9.
On March 6 Curtis Barone became the unnamed first COVID-19 patient whose positive test result was announced in Oklahoma, while he was self-isolated in his master bedroom.
Researchers hope the drug — typically prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis — will reduce inflammation in the lungs. A similar drug showed promise in a small-scale study in China.
