OSDH Reports Increase in COVID Case Numbers Stem From Holiday Gatherings

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma State Department of Health announced 6,280 new COVID cases on Thursday.

These cases have pushed the total number of COVID-19 cases to 731,155, with a seven-day average of 3,742, OSDH reports. The seven-day average sat at 1,231 new cases a day two weeks ago.

According to the health department, there are 34,559 active cases statewide. Two weeks ago in the Dec. 23 report, active cases sat at 12,491, which means that since the holidays, active cases have increased by 22,068.

“Today’s case numbers reflect what OSDH has anticipated occurring due to holiday gatherings and trends seen elsewhere in the country,” OSDH said. “We encourage those who have symptoms or believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 to get tested and complete the recommended isolation and/or quarantine period based on test results. Moving forward, one of the best ways to keep yourself and those around you protected is vaccination.”

OSDH says the three-day hospital average sits at 1,066 hospitalizations, with 284 of these hospitalizations in ICU beds and 27 in pediatric beds.

The number of CDC/NCHS provisional deaths has climbed to 12,571 after 32 more fatalities were announced Thursday, according to an update from OSDH.