Department of Health Warns That COVID Is 'Still Here and Relevant'
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Oklahoma continues to rise as the state enters Phase 3 of Gov. Kevin Stitt's Open Up and Recover Safely (OURS) plan. As of Monday, June 8, there were 7,205 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Oklahoma, with 348 resulting deaths.
In the state's District Five, the disease also continued its spread. The district, which includes 10 counties in southwest Oklahoma - Beckham, Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Kiowa, Tillman, and Washita - saw an increase of 38 cases during the week of May 27 through June 4, 2020, bringing the total number for the district to 597 cases.
Washita County's number of infections remains level at two. City specific data was unavailable as of press time June 4, as the state removed that information from its data tracker website, citing the need to comply with unspecified state and federal privacy regulations. The Oklahoma State Department of Health announced the data would be restored after Attorney General Mike Hunter announced June 3 that release of the data did not violate any laws as long as no individual(s) could be identified from it.
Included in the most recent update from District Five Health Planning Coordinator Debra Johnson was a warning for citizens to not get complacent about COVID-19.
"Oklahoma continues to experience community spread, therefore the health department encourages everyone to take all precautions the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has promoted: social distancing, thorough and often hand washing, and staying home if you are sick, over 65 years of age, and/or have any underlying health condition," she wrote. "As our state and communities begin thinking of how and when to reopen, we encourage every citizen, agency, and business to continue to practice protective strategies. COVID is not a thing of the past, it is still very relevant and is in our communities. Please help protect those who can't protect themselves."