Commissioner of Health shares Covid-19 update video addressing mitigation efforts

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Commissioner of Health Dr. Lance Frye shared a video today updating Oklahomans on the state's COVID-19 mitigation efforts as cases continue to rise.

The video can be viewed here. The full transcript of the video is included below. “We are seeing a significant increase in COVID-19 cases and trends, due largely to the more contagious Delta variant, which is overwhelmingly impacting unvaccinated Oklahomans.

First and foremost, I want to urge every eligible Oklahoman to get the vaccine to protect themselves and those around them.

As case numbers continue to increase, we need everyone to do their part to stop this surge in its tracks — get vaccinated and follow the 3 W's to keep yourself and your community safe.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have encouraged Oklahomans to take personal responsibility in making decisions to protect their health and the health of others. The variety of mitigation tools we have available for fighting this virus are proven to work best when they are layered together.

We support and promote all effective COVID-19 mitigation strategies, including getting the vaccine, social distancing, washing your hands and wearing masks in situations that warrant additional protection.

Masking is a personal choice and is one we encourage Oklahomans to make based on their situation, personal health and activities they are participating in.

In addition to the 3 W's, we're encouraging Oklahomans to consider a checklist when assessing personal health risk and taking precautions against COVID-19:

Who you are – consider your personal health circumstance,

Where you are – are you indoors or a crowded event, and

What you're doing – are you with other vaccinated people or doing a physical activity.

Asking yourself these questions can help guide your decision about which mitigation strategies make the most sense for you and your family.

As many of our children return to the classroom this month, the best thing we can do for them is to get vaccinated. We believe families and school districts are in the best position to determine which mitigation strategies to recommend to

ensure students are able to safely meet in person. We are working with our local health departments to ensure families and school officials have access to resources like PPE and testing as students return to school.

We know there are many Oklahomans who are unvaccinated — children who are not yet eligible, people with preexisting health conditions that preclude vaccination and those who have chosen, for a variety of reasons, to not get the vaccine yet. We also know the vast majority of Oklahomans who are hospitalized and dying of COVID-19 right now are unvaccinated. I urge all eligible Oklahomans to go get your vaccine today to protect yourself and those around you.

If you are not vaccinated at this time, you are at significant risk from more transmissible variants of COVID-19 like the Delta variant.

The best thing we can do right now is to get the vaccine and follow the mitigation measures that we know are effective.

We need your help to keep this virus contained, and we appreciate those who continue to do their part in protecting against the spread of COVID-19 in Oklahoma.”