Eighty-seven virus-related deaths and 895 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in the state since Wednesday, according to daily figures released by the Oklahoma Department of Health.
A total of 426,641 Oklahomans tested positive for COVID-19 and the preliminary death toll from virus-related deaths is 7,122, the state Department of Health said Thursday.
The seven-day moving average for newly reported cases was 641, the health department said.
As of Friday, 839,401 total vaccine doses had been administered and 969,660 total doses had been received by the state. More than 293,300 Oklahomans completed both vaccinations.
The health department said 12,379 cases are considered active in the state.
A total of 24,103 Oklahomans have been admitted to hospital due to the virus, while 404 are currently in acute care OSDH-licensed facilities and 32 are currently in other types of facilities.
So far, 409,728 Oklahomans have recovered from the virus and another 765 cases have been considered recovery since Wednesday. Health officials said recovery from this means the patient has not been admitted to hospital or died and that it is 14 days since the onset of symptoms or report.
Click here to see the COVID-19 data from the state.
On Wednesday, the Oklahoma Department of Health announced that it was changing the way COVID-19 deaths were reported.
The department said this change would be more in line with the total number of deaths issued by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.
The preliminary number of deaths is based on death certificates. As cases increased at the end of 2020, OSDH’s epidemiologists began to encounter larger numbers of incomplete records, which required in-depth investigation, leading to a large difference between OSDH’s deaths and the CDCs’ Department of Health said.
The difference between the total number of virus-related deaths of the OSDH and the CDCs was approximately 2500 deaths.
The state launched the vaccination site for vaccination on January 7th. After Oklahomans complete a questionnaire, they will be informed in what phase they are in and they will be allowed to schedule appointments when their phase is vaccinated.
Click here to see the appointment planner and questionnaire.
On January 13, Governor Kevin Stitt amended his executive order to stop the evening clock at 11pm for bars and restaurants to stop service. This happened after a judge ruled that a temporary limitation to July is in effect to allow the case to continue.
On January 12, Stitt and government officials announced new quarantine policies for personal learning.
The governor announced that teachers or students who are exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 need not be quarantined as long as exposure has taken place in a classroom and all protocols have been followed. These protocols include wearing masks, social removal and maintaining recommended cleaning measures.
The first COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Oklahoma on December 14 and were administered to frontline workers.
Before the first round of vaccine distribution in December, Governor Stitt issued new restrictions.
On Dec. 10, Stitt said he plans to issue an executive order to impose more state restrictions, including attending public gatherings, excluding churches, and attending indoor sporting events up to 50% capacity.
As business and hospitalizations continued to increase upward in November, Stitt issued new actions to curb the spread.
On November 19, bars and restaurants close at 11pm for personal service and tables must be placed six feet apart, or else the dividers must be used.
A mask mandate has been issued for government officials and for people who want access to government buildings.
The state health department corrected the November 7 daily total on November 8 and chose not to release a new daily COVID-19 total from Saturday to Sunday.
Health officials said it removed the duplicate cases from the total, but it only dropped the case from 4,741 to 4,507, a drop of 234.
Stitt issued a statement on Nov. 7 urging Oklahomans to ‘do the right thing’ and to follow CDC guidelines – practice social distance, wear a face mask and wash your hands regularly – to slow the spread.
On September 8, the health department said the transition had begun to include antigen test results in the state’s data collection and reporting system. A positive antigen test result is considered a ‘probable’ case, while a positive molecular test result is a ‘confirmed’ case.
Antigen testing is a quick test that can be completed in less than an hour. Molecular tests usually take days before the results are available.
On July 15, Stitt said he tested positive for COVID-19, making him the first governor in the country to test positive for the virus. He has since posted video updates on his health and quarantine.
Oklahoma reported its first child-related death on July 12. The child was a 13-year-old daughter of a soldier stationed at Fort Sill.
Shortly after the news of the girl’s death, State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister recommended all Oklahomans wear face masks to reopen the schools safely in the fall.
On June 30, Stitt wore a face mask and “strongly encouraged” Oklahomans to follow CDC guidelines regarding face masks.
More: Government Stitt recommends wearing face masks during update regarding COVID-19 in state
On April 28, Stitt said anyone who wants to do a COVID-19 test can do so, even if they have no symptoms.
Related: Government Stitt presents state coronavirus figures to show Oklahoma is ready to reopen
The state health department advises everyone with COVID-19 symptoms such as shortness of breath, fever or cough to stay home and limit person-to-person involvement.
Previous day: OSDH changes how it reports COVID-19 deaths, reports 747 new virus cases
The state’s coronavirus hotline is 877-215-8336 or 211. Click here for a list of coronavirus (COVID-19) links and resources.