Virus data noteworthy
Public health officials expected that as the state began to reopen after the COVID-19 lockdown, and as the number of tests administered increased, Oklahoma would see more positive cases. This is happening — but at a disconcerting rate of late. Oklahomans need to take note.
The past several days have seen a steady increase in the number of confirmed positive test results. The 228 confirmed cases Tuesday were a record for Oklahoma; the record was eclipsed the next day. The seven-day rolling average of COVID-19 cases was a little more than 80 a few weeks ago; now it's more than 180.
The trend line, and a spike of cases in Tulsa, no doubt contributed to state Health Commissioner Lance Frye advising those attending President Trump's rally on Saturday that they face an increased risk of becoming infected with and transmitting COVID-19. Frye urged them to get tested before and after the event.
Dr. Dale Bratzler, chief enterprise quality officer at OU Medicine, offered a sobering assessment.
“We have reached a peak that is higher than at any other point in the pandemic here in the state,” Bratzler said. “We are bending the curve — sadly in the wrong direction.”
He added, “Our previous peak was in April and now we're seeing levels of infection that are much, much higher.”
The governor's office notes that the steps taken early in the pandemic allowed time to ramp up testing, expand hospital capacity and obtain adequate amounts of personal protective equipment for health care workers. Those have succeeded — Oklahoma's hospital capacity and hospitalization rates are encouraging, and the state has enough supplies to treat patients. There has not been a surge in the number of deaths from COVID-19. The number of positive cases remains a small fraction of the state's total population.
However, “As the governor has said, COVID-19 is still in the United States and is still in
Oklahoma,” a spokeswoman said.
Oklahomans need to remember that, and continue taking the precautions recommended to keep themselves and others safe. The simplest of these is to wear a face covering in public, particularly indoors and where social distancing isn't possible. Bratzler says a recent study found that wearing a mask reduces the risk of spread by 85%.
“I don't care what the event is, if you bring a lot of people into a space that's relatively closed, there's an increased risk of transmission,” he said.
Oklahoma is among nearly two dozen states where positive cases have increased of late. Health officials here and elsewhere expected to see an increase as states eased their restrictions, but some worry that community spread is underway.
Bratzler said it well: “Reopening doesn't equate with back to normal.” To keep the situation from worsening, and potentially prompting a return to tighter restrictions, we all must do our part.