Oklahoma struggles with processing COVID-19 data, reports 1714 new cases Tuesday
/The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported a record-breaking 1,714 new cases Tuesday afternoon, but many of those cases should have been reported over the past two days. After averaging over 750 new cases per day over the prior week, the OSDH reported only 209 new cases on Sunday and 168 on Monday.
“Due to technical data entry issues, case counts for Sunday, July 19 and Monday, July 20 are low and do not reflect real-time data,” read the OSDH Monday Situation Report. “OSDH’s Acute Disease Service is working diligently to resolve these technical issues and will continue to provide reporting of COVID-19 information that Oklahomans have come to expect from OSDH. In the meantime, Oklahomans who receive a positive test result through a State lab will continue to be promptly notified and connected to contract tracing efforts.”
“OSDH’s number one priority is making COVID-19 testing widely available and efficient for the public as well as operating an effective, and trusted, contact tracing program. During this time of increased demand, OSDH is prioritizing manpower and resources to communicate positive results and to provide medical guidance for quarantining and minimizing spread,” said interim Commissioner Lance Frye. “We recognize the significant challenges we’ve experienced with outdated systems, and are working to modernize processes and incorporate new technology to streamline operations and improve critical customer services during the pandemic.”
“In its efforts to continuously develop robust contact tracing across the State, the OSDH will begin using text messaging in addition to phone calls to reach out to contacts. We will release more information on this new development including what contacts can expect to see in a text notification.”
Tuesday’s report brought the state’s cumulative case total to 27,147 with 20,663 recoveries and a record-high 6,023 active cases. 613 Oklahomans are currently hospitalized, down from a peak of 638 on Thursday.
Oklahoma has seen 461 total fatalities from the pandemic, including nine new deaths reported Tuesday.
One in McCurtain County, one male in the 50 - 64 age group.
One in Noble County, one male in the 65 or older age group.
Three in Oklahoma County, one female in the 36 - 49 age group and two males in the 65 or older age group.
One in Pottawatomie County, one female in the 65 or older age group.
One in Rogers County, one male in the 65 or older age group.
Two in Tulsa County, two females in the 65 or older age group.
In Sand Springs there are 27 active cases. 129 Sandites have been diagnosed with the virus, 100 have recovered, and two have died. There are 1,174 active cases in Tulsa County and 818 in the city of Tulsa.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are reporting 3,819,139 cases nationwide with 14,630 deaths. There have been 57,777 new cases and 473 deaths reported in the past day.
Oklahoma currently ranks 32nd in total cases (39th per capita), but is 16th in per capita cases reported in the past seven days. The state is 34th in total deaths (39th per capita) and 33rd in deaths in the past seven days.
The World Health Organization is reporting 14,562,550 cases worldwide with 607,781 deaths. There have been 213,637 new cases and 4,083 deaths reported in the past day. The United States continue to lead the world in total cases, followed by Brazil with 2,098,389 and India with 1,155,191.
