OSDH: 1,878 New COVID-19 Cases, 16 More Virus-Related Deaths Reported

Sixteen more virus-related deaths and 1,878 new coronavirus cases were reported in the state since Thursday, according to daily numbers released by the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

A total of 131,751 Oklahomans have tested positive for COVID-19 and the total number of deaths went up to 1,429 the state health department said on Friday.

Two of the 16 deaths happened in the last 24 hours.

Four people died in Oklahoma County; two women and two men aged 65 or older.

Four people died in Tulsa County; a woman aged 50 to 64 and a woman and two men aged 65 or older.

Two people died in Jackson County; a woman aged 50 to 64 and a woman aged 65 or older.

One woman aged 65 or older died in Adair County. One man aged 65 or older died in Beckham County. One man aged 65 or older died in Blaine County.

One woman aged 65 or older died in Comanche County. One man aged 65 or older died in Jefferson County. One man aged 65 or older died in Kay County.

The health department said 17,095 cases are considered active in the state.

A total of 9,438 Oklahomans have been hospitalized due to the virus with 1,025 Oklahomans are currently in the hospital.

So far, 113,227 Oklahomans have recovered from the virus with 1,532 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, 1,557,850 tests have returned negative since testing began in February.

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

As of Nov. 5, Oklahoma County hospitals were considered in Tier 3 of the state's hospital surge plan. This phase of the plan could include canceling elective surgeries, but the governor's office said they have no plans of doing that as of Nov. 5.

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: 2,101 New COVID-19 Cases, 21 More Virus-Related Deaths Reported In State, Health Officials Say

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