Oklahoma reports 596 new cases of COVID-19 and record-high 487 hospitalizations
/The OSDH launched a new COVID-19 alert system Thursday, color-coding counties according to risk level.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 596 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, bringing the cumulative total to 19,092 since the pandemic began. Active cases have surpassed 4,000 for the first time, and a record-high 487 Oklahomans are currently hospitalized. There have been six new deaths reported, bringing the statewide death toll to 416.
Sand Springs reported no new cases for the second straight day. Two more Sandites have recovered from the virus, leaving 17 active cases.
On Thursday the OSDH launched a new COVID-19 alert system that offers the public and local elected officials a clear method to recognize and communicate the current COVID-19 risk level in each county and to guide health behaviors.
The Oklahoma COVID-19 Alert System is a four-tiered risk measurement tool with corresponding color categories that identify the current COVID-19 risk level by county.
“This new COVID-19 alert system marries OSDH’s robust data reporting with additional public health steps that should be considered county by county to confront elevated risks of community spread,” said Interim Health Commissioner Lance Frye, M.D. “The color-coded system is an easy way for business owners, local leaders, and the public to know at a glance when extra precautions should be taken.”
Each color category is based on daily new cases per 100,000 population. The color-coded county map will be updated every Friday as part of the agency’s 11 a.m. Situation Media Advisory and will be based on the 7-day rolling average:
Green: 0 < 1.43 daily new cases per 100,000 population
Yellow: 43 < 14.39 daily new cases per 100,000 population
Orange: > 14.39 daily new cases per 100,000 population
Red: > 14.39 daily new cases per 100,000 plus one of four additional gates triggered
OSDH will deem a county as in a high-risk phase if the county is reporting more than 14.39 daily new cases per 100,000 and one or more of the four thresholds occur in the State within a given week.
Statewide ICU threshold: Percent of ICU beds available <5% statewide
Statewide Medical/Surgical threshold: Percent of medical surgery beds available <5% statewide
Statewide Ventilator threshold: Percent of ventilators available <5% statewide
Facility PPE threshold: Average days of PPE on hand and available < 5 days statewide
The State will work with local officials in red counties on a remediation plan.
The red phase is triggered when additionally assessing statewide health system capacity definitions, assumptions and plans in the Oklahoma Hospital Surge Planning Toolkit and with assessing numbers based on hospitals’ bed capacity at 100%. This status indicates statewide, systemic challenges and pressures on the healthcare system resulting from COVID-19.
This new alert system is subject to further revisions. Guidance for each risk category is available for individuals, businesses, high-risk individuals, and children on the COVID-19 dashboard at coronavirus.health.ok.gov.
Tulsa County is currently listed in the Moderate (orange) risk phase with 75 total deaths and 996 active cases. The moderate risk phase indicates greater than 14.39 daily new cases per 100,000 population. On Friday, Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum announced that he has directed the City of Tulsa Legal Department to draft an ordinance for consideration by City Council at their next Wednesday meeting. The ordinance, if passed, will require face-coverings in public places.
The Centers for Disease Control and prevention are reporting 3,106,931 cumulative cases nationwide with 132,855 deaths. There have been 59,260 new cases and 799 deaths reported in the past 24 hours. Oklahoma currently ranks 34th in total cases (39th per capita) and 34th in total deaths (37th per capita).
The World Health Organization is reporting 12,102,328 total cases worldwide with 551,046 deaths. There have been 228,102 new cases reported in the past 24 hours. The United States continue to lead the world in total cases, followed by Brazil with 1,713,160 and India with 793,802.
