OSDH: Spike in COVID-19 cases in Oklahoma partly due to holidays, gatherings
Updated: 6:28 PM CST Jan 10, 2021
Perris Jones
HOLIDAYS? PERRIS: EVAN, THAT'S RIGHT. AND WHEN I SPOKE TO HEALTH LEADERS A FEW WEEKS AGO, THIS IS SOMETHING THEY EXPECTED TO HAPPEN FOR A FEW REASONS. STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER LANCE FRY TOUCHED ON IT TODAY, SAYING A DECREASE IN TESTING AND REPORTING OVER THE HOLIDAYS CONTRIBUTED TO THE SPIKE IN NUMBERS WE'RE SEEING. OFFICIALS SAY 58% OF THE CASES REPORTED TODAY ARE FROM TESTS SINCE THE FIRST OF THE YEAR, AND 80% ARE FROM TESTS SINCE DECEMBER 27. THEY ALSO SAY YOU HAVE TO FACTOR IN GATHERINGS OVER THE HOLIDAYS. AND THIS WAS A BIG CONCERN WHEN WE SPOKE TO OU HEALTH'S DR. DALE BRATZLER BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS. DR. BRATZLER: I THINK AFTER CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S, WE'RE VERY, VERY CONCERNED. AGAIN, CHRISTMAS IS ONE OF THOSE HOLIDAY EVENTS THAT BRINGS TOGETHER INDOORS FOR EVENTS LIKE FAMILY EVENTS AT HOMES, AT PLACES OF WORSHIP, AND THOSE ARE PLACES WHERE THE VIRUS LOVES TO SPREAD. PERRIS: THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS ALSO REPORTING 23 NEW DEATHS TODAY. BRINGING OKLAHOMA TO 214 COVID DEATHS IN THE PAST WEEK -- THE
Oklahoma set another record in COVID-19 cases on Sunday after health leaders reported 6,487 new cases, marking the most reported in a single day.The latest report brings Oklahoma's seven-day average to 3,899, which also is the highest the state has ever seen. Along with reporting the latest numbers, Health Commissioner Lance Frye and the health department issued a statement saying that the spike in cases is due to the holidays."This rise in reported COVID-19 cases is due in part to a decrease in testing and a less consistent reporting schedule over the holidays," Frye said in a news release. "While holiday testing and reporting plays a part in these increased numbers, we must also factor in that gatherings during the holidays have likely affected case numbers as well."The Oklahoma State Department of Health said 58% of the cases reported Sunday are from tests since Jan. 1 and 80% are from tests since Dec. 27.When KOCO 5 spoke with health leaders a few weeks ago, this was something they expected to happen for a few reasons."I think after Christmas and New Year's we're very, very concerned," said Dr. Dale Bratzler, OU Health's chief COVID-19 officer. "Again, Christmas is one of those holiday events that brings people together indoors for events like family events at homes, at places of worship. And those are places where the virus loves to spread."An additional 23 deaths also were reported Sunday, bringing the statewide total to 2,761. In the past week, Oklahoma has reported 214 COVID-19-related deaths, which is the most for any seven-day period during the pandemic.
OKLAHOMA CITY —
Oklahoma set another record in COVID-19 cases on Sunday after health leaders reported 6,487 new cases, marking the most reported in a single day.
The latest report brings Oklahoma's seven-day average to 3,899, which also is the highest the state has ever seen.
Along with reporting the latest numbers, Health Commissioner Lance Frye and the health department issued a statement saying that the spike in cases is due to the holidays.
"This rise in reported COVID-19 cases is due in part to a decrease in testing and a less consistent reporting schedule over the holidays," Frye said in a news release. "While holiday testing and reporting plays a part in these increased numbers, we must also factor in that gatherings during the holidays have likely affected case numbers as well."
The Oklahoma State Department of Health said 58% of the cases reported Sunday are from tests since Jan. 1 and 80% are from tests since Dec. 27.
When KOCO 5 spoke with health leaders a few weeks ago, this was something they expected to happen for a few reasons.
"I think after Christmas and New Year's we're very, very concerned," said Dr. Dale Bratzler, OU Health's chief COVID-19 officer. "Again, Christmas is one of those holiday events that brings people together indoors for events like family events at homes, at places of worship. And those are places where the virus loves to spread."
An additional 23 deaths also were reported Sunday, bringing the statewide total to 2,761. In the past week, Oklahoma has reported 214 COVID-19-related deaths, which is the most for any seven-day period during the pandemic.
Coronavirus in Oklahoma: Tracking cases, deaths and latest restrictions