Report: State in top 10 for coronavirus test positivity

Oklahoma is still in the" red zone" for new C OVID -19 cases per capita and on the cusp of being in the worst category for COVID-19 test positivity, according to a new report from the White House.

Nationally, Oklahoma has the eighth-highest rate percentage of COVID-19 tests that are positive and ranks No. 12 f or new daily cases per capita.

The Aug .23 report from the White House Coronavirus Task Force shows Oklahoma jumped three spots in both categories used to measure the severity of COVID19 transmission across states.

The report also warned that Oklahoma's test positivity, which is at 9.9%, is "quickly approaching the red zone" of more than 10%.

While t he Oklahoma State Department of Health recently started publishing the weekly, Oklahoma-specific reports, other White House reports aren't released publicly — making it hard to see how other states compare.

Oklahoma had 123 new

C OVID -19 cases per 100,000 population last week, compared with 117 new cases the week prior.

Oklahoma, Cleveland and Tulsa counties continue to have the highest number of new cases in recent weeks. But unlike Tulsa and Tulsa County, the Oklahoma City metro area is not included in localities within the "red zone."

The Oklahoma City metro area is in the "yellow zone," indicating transmission of COVID-19 is less severe.

To curb the spread of COVID-19, the report recommends "a mask mandate needs to be implemented statewide (in counties with greater than 20 cases)." Roughly two-thirds of Oklahoma's 77 counties have more than 20 active COVID-19 infections.

Gov. Kevin Stitt has not issued a statewide mask mandate, but a state Public Health Advisory recommends Oklahomans in 30 counties wear masks in public. Which counties should adopt mask-wearing can change weekly based on the state's color-coded alert system.

The latest report also recommends Oklahoma close bars and limit indoor dining and social gatherings in localities located in red and yellow zones.