Oklahoma virus hospitalizations surge due to omicron variant

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Health officials say patients in some Oklahoma hospitals are being treated in hallways or even in closets, as the omicron variant causes a surge in coronavirus hospitalizations.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health on Tuesday reported a three-day average of 1,489 people hospitalized with COVID-19, the highest since last August. State Hospital Association President Patti Davis says the number is nearing the 1,554 reached in August when the delta variant was surging.

Leaders of Oklahoma City’s four major hospitals say they have no intensive care beds available.

Meanwhile, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed an executive order that will allow state workers to substitute teach to help schools deal with coronavirus-related staff shortages.