OSDH Reports 1,302 New COVID-19 Cases, 20 Additional Virus-Related Deaths

Twenty more virus-related deaths and 1,302 new confirmed coronavirus cases were reported in the state since Thursday, according to daily numbers released by the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

A total of 121,495 Oklahomans have tested positive for COVID-19 in confirmed tests and the total number of deaths increased to 1,326, the state health department said on Friday.

Four of the 20 deaths were identified with the last 24 hours.

Five men in Cleveland County died of the virus. Two of them were in the 50 to 64 age group while the other three men were aged 65 or older.

Among the five people who died from Tulsa County, two men and two women were aged 65 or older while one man died within the 50 to 64 age group.

A man and woman in the 65 or older age group died in McClain County.

A woman in the 65 or older age group died in Bryan County. Another woman in the 65 or older age group died in Grant County.

A man in the 65 or older age group died in McCurtain County. A man in the 50 to 64 age group died of the virus in Ottawa County.

Another man in the 65 or older age group died in Payne County while a woman in the 65 or older age group died in Tillman County.

A woman in the 65 or older age group also died in Wagoner County. A man in the 65 or older age group died in Washington County.

The health department said 15,032 cases are considered active in the state.

A total of 8,778 Oklahomans have been hospitalized due to the virus with 865 Oklahomans are currently in the hospital.

So far, 105,137 Oklahomans have recovered from the virus with 1,218 more cases considered recovered since Thursday. Health officials said recovered means the patient is not hospitalized or deceased and it has been 14 days since the onset of symptoms or report.

As of Friday morning, 1,480,280 tests have returned negative since testing began in February.

Click here to view the state's COVID-19 data.

On Sept. 8, the state health department said it has begun the transition to include antigen test results to the state's data collection and reporting system. A positive antigen test result is considered a "probable" case, while a positive molecular test result is consider a "confirmed" case.

Antigen testing is a rapid test that can be completed in less than an hour. Molecular tests usually take days before results are made available.

On July 15, Gov. Kevin Stitt said he had tested positive for COVID-19, making him the first governor in the country to test positive for the virus. He has since posted video updates of concerning his health and quarantine.

Oklahoma reported its first child death related to the virus on July 12. The child was a 13-year-old daughter of a soldier stationed at Fort Sill.

Shortly after the report of the girl's death, state Superintendent Joy Hofmeister recommended for all Oklahomans to wear face masks to allow the safely reopening of schools in the fall.

On June 30, Stitt wore a face mask and "strongly encouraged" Oklahomans to follow CDC guidelines pertaining to face masks.

More: Gov. Stitt Recommends Wearing Face Masks During Update Concerning COVID-19 In State

On April 28, Stitt said anyone who wished to take a COVID-19 test could do so even if they are not presenting symptoms.

Related: Gov. Stitt Presents State's Coronavirus Figures To Show Oklahoma Is Ready To Reopen

The state health department advises anyone with COVID-19 symptoms such as shortness of breath, fever or coughing to stay home and limit person-to-person engagement. 

Previous Day: OSDH: 1,041 New COVID-19 Cases, 20 New Virus-Related Deaths Reported In Okla.

The state coronavirus hotline is 877-215-8336 or 211. For a list of coronavirus (COVID-19) links and resources, click here.