COVID-19 pandemic in Oklahoma
As of December 22, 2022, Oklahoma has been impacted more by Covid than the average U.S. state. Statistics for the U.S. as a whole are 331 deaths per 100,000 population with 68 percent of the population fully vaccinated. The comparable statistics for Oklahoma are 405 deaths per 100,000 population with 59 percent of the population fully vaccinated. 16,041 deaths from Covid have been recorded in Oklahoma. A wide variation in deaths from Covid exists between counties in Oklahoma. Greer County recorded a death rate of .00753 (753 deaths per 100,000 residents). Payne County recorded a death rate of only .00231 (231 deaths per 100,000 residents.[2]
The first case of COVID-19 in the U.S. state of Oklahoma was reported on March 7, 2020, with the first confirmed COVID-19 death occurring on March 18.[3] For the 7 days ending May 19, 2021, Oklahoma public health authorities reported 965 new cases of COVID-19, for a cumulative total of 451,280 cases since the start of the pandemic. The state's death toll increased to 6,918 with 40 deaths reported over the previous 7 days.
As of August 18, 2021, Oklahoma has administered 3,642,556 COVID-19 vaccine doses, equivalent to 51.05% of the state's population.[4][5]
Response[edit]
March 2020[edit]
On March 16, the OSDH authorized facilities such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, and detention centers to restrict visitation by the public.[71] On March 24, Governor Stitt announced a "Safer at Home" executive order effective through April 30, requiring vulnerable populations (including those over the age of 65 or with underlying health conditions) to remain at their residences unless conducting essential shopping, medical appointments, or exercise. Effective March 25, gatherings of more than 10 people were prohibited. In the 19 counties that had a confirmed case, "non-essential" businesses that involve social gatherings or close contact (such as bars, dine-in restaurants, gyms, and personal care facilities) were ordered to close for 21 days. This order would also be applied to any other county that had new positive cases going forward.[25][72][73] On March 25, the state board of education voted to close all public schools until the end of the school year.[74]
On March 31, the business closures were extended through April 30, and became effective state-wide on April 1. Stitt encouraged residents to support local restaurants, which would still be allowed to offer take-out services. Stitt also encouraged medical officials to increase their testing of those with any symptoms or had been recently in contact with someone who had tested positive.[75][76]
April 2020[edit]
The Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood sued the state over including non-emergency abortions in its suspension of elective procedures at hospitals. On April 6, District Judge Charles Goodwin issued a restraining order requiring the state to resume offering abortions, as restricting them would cause "irreparable harm" to women.[77] On April 15, the Safer at Home order was extended through May 6, with Stitt stating that elective surgeries could resume on April 24.
On April 23, Governor Kevin Stitt announced that phase 1 of the reopening of business would begin April 24, including personal care facilities, state parks, outdoor recreation, and that dine-in restaurants (excluding bars), cinemas, gyms, sports venues, and places of worship could reopen on May 1, subject to social distancing and other sanitation protocols and guidelines per-industry. Phase 2 began May 15, including reopening of bars at limited capacity, funerals and weddings, and organized sports, subject to social distancing.[78][79] Phase 3 began June 1, including businesses that had been restricted to appointments only, summer camps, and limited visitation at hospitals, and for long-term care facilities in end-of-life situations. Guidance regarding social distancing and the Safer at Home guidelines for vulnerable residents remain in force.[80]
May 2020[edit]
The Choctaw Nation in Southeastern Oklahoma received financial aid from the people and government of the Republic of Ireland to pay back the tribe for their donation of food to the Irish people during the Great Famine of Ireland in 1850, which was 170 years ago.[81]
August 2020[edit]
An August 12 Tulsa World editorial stated, "Last week our number of confirmed cases are up 991% from May 1, when the state's reopening began. Deaths are up 55%. Hospitalizations are up 123%. That's not the result of more testing. It's the result of more disease."
On August 14, Dr. Deborah Birx led a roundtable discussion at the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa. She was described as "unwavering on the necessity for masks and distancing in public."[57]
On August 21, a spokesperson for the Mayor of Tulsa said she was surprised to hear that the August 16 White House Coronavirus Task Force State Report for Oklahoma had not been shared with the city. Mayor Bynum said he was surprised to hear from Deborah Birx that "there had been eight or so of the weekly COVID-19 reports."[64] A Coronavirus testing plan was announced for Oklahoma teachers.[82]
On August 22, Governor Stitt indicated that he would begin releasing the White House Coronavirus Task Force reports on Oklahoma. The reports, which call for mask mandates and bar closures, indicate that Oklahoma remains "one of nine states in the "red zone" for coronavirus infections because of more than 100 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people."[83] Regional metro areas in the red zone included Tulsa, Enid, McAlester, Fort Smith, Miami and Guymon. The eighteen counties in the red zone were: Tulsa, Caddo, Choctaw, Coal, Creek, Garfield, Kingfisher, Mayes, McCurtain, McIntosh, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Pittsburg, Rogers, Sequoyah, Texas, and Wagoner.[64]
Travel restrictions[edit]
On March 28, a state executive order was amended to require 14 days of self-isolation for anyone traveling to Oklahoma by air from six states that had a large number of cases, including California, Connecticut, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, and Washington.[86]
Impact[edit]
Sports[edit]
The National Basketball Association suspended its 2019–20 season on March 11 after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19 prior to a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City.[38]
The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) postponed its high school basketball tournaments, and all other spring semester sports activities.[39][90]