County reports COVID deaths

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The District 5 county health departments, along with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, announced the first deaths associated with COVID-19 in Washita County.

Both patients were men in the 65-plus age group.

“This is a sad day in our community,” said Regional Director Brandie Combs. “Our thoughts and condolences are with the family during this difficult time.”

The deaths reflect an alarming trend of rising virus cases and deaths across the state.

The total number testing positive in the county is now 220. It was 195 a week ago, an increase of 25 over last week. Two weeks ago the number was 181 and three weeks ago it was 154.

On Aug. 21, the number of people testing positive in Washita County stood at 37.

Of the 220 positive cases, 178 have recovered, the OSDH said.

Cordell has reported 54 positive cases, the most in the county. Of those, 47 have recovered. Last week there were 49 positive cases. Of those, 44 had recovered.

Burns Flat, which had, 37 a week ago, now has 40, the second highest number in the county. Of those, 36 have recovered, OSDH said.

Burns Flat also has one of the reported deaths in the county.

Canute has 32, up from the 29 last week and Sentinel has 18. Of the 32 in Canute, 26 have recovered and 17 have recovered in Sentinel.

Other communities in Washita County reporting positive cases and the number recovered include: Dill City 12 and 11; Rocky 13 and 10.

Statewide as of Monday, 138,455 have tested positive, there have been 1,444 deaths and 116,882 who have recovered. Active cases stood at 20,129, the OSDH said.

Last week there were 126,526 testing positive, there had been 1,375 deaths and 109,234 had recovered. There were

15,927 active cases a week ago.

This week on Monday, the OSDH reported more than 2,197 new positive cases confirmed and six additional deaths.

The OSDH reports 1,571,321 have tested negative.

Meanwhile, public health officials continue to work in the county and across the state offering testing, conducting investigations, and reminding the public about the risks to older adults and those who have compromised immune systems.

“COVID is not a thing of the past, it is still very relevant and it’s in our communities. Please help protect those who can’t protect themselves,” the health department said.

Those who are sick or think they have COVID-19 should self-isolate at home in a room away from others in the household, the health department said. Difficulty breathing is a serious concern and medical attention should be sought immediately, it added.

For more information about COVID-19, You can reach the Kiowa County Health Department, serving Washita County, by calling 580-726-3316.