Virus surge continues in state
Hospitalizations increase by 80 over the course of a week
Oklahoma's spike of COVID-19 cases continued Wednesday as the state reported a record increase of 482 new coronavirus cases within 24 hours.
In recent weeks, Oklahoma has experienced a surge of cases that health experts say is tied to the fact that more Oklahomans are leaving their homes as restrictions have been lifted. The number of hospitalizations of those confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19 grew to 277 on Wednesday. That number has grown by 80 over the past week.
The recent surge has l ed The Children's Hospital at OU Medicine in Oklahoma City to limit visitors to pediatric patients to no more than one per room.
“We regret having to once again restrict the number of visitors at The Children's Hospital and we understand how stressful this is for our patients and their loved ones,” said Dr. Cameron Mantor, acting chief medical officer. “However, the current spike in COVID-19 cases in Oklahoma has required us to change our policies to prevent the spread of the virus and to protect our patients, staff and visitors.
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said he will be keeping a close eye watch on hospitalization numbers to determine if the city needs greater social restrictions.
Tulsa health officials said it's too soon to attribute any increase in infections there to President Donald Trump's campaign rally at the BOK Center on Saturday.
“We're really going to watch the next six weeks, because chances are there were people that were exposed over the weekend ... the incubation period is anywhere from two to 14 days,” and the virus could be spread for weeks after that by those exposed during the rally, said Tulsa Health Department Director Bruce Dart.
Dart and Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum said new cases have been linked to other gatherings such as funerals, weddings and people going to bars.
As the state continues to see a surge in COVID-19 cases, Democrats and Republicans accused each other of playing party politics.
House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman, criticized the governor's handling of the pandemic and specifically took aim at Trump's campaign rally.
Virgin insinuated Stitt put party politics over public health when he didn't put a stop to a rally he also attended along with many of the state's Republican elected officials. Some public health experts warned the rally could exacerbate the spread of COVID-19.
“Ignoring the health community is not the leadership that Oklahomans deserve during a pandemic ,” Virgin said. “It's obvious that Gov. Stitt, due to his loyalty to his political party, was not going to do anything to hinder last weekend' s events.”
Virgin also suggested Stitt and the Oklahoma State Department of Health adopt a virus awareness program being used in the United Kingdom that attempts to convey to the public how bad the COVID-19 situation is on a given day.
Stitt spokesman Charlie H anne masai di twas
disappointing, but not surprising, to see Democrats playing politics during the pandemic.
The governor previously said Oklahomans who were concerned that COVID-19 might spread at Trump's rally should not attend.
“The governor has repeatedly reminded Oklahomans that COVID19 is still in Oklahoma and tot akep rec auti ons ,” Hannema said. “Oklahomans cherish their freedom to value facts over fear and to take informed steps to protect their families.”