Oklahoma City-County Health Department Identifies Metro Hot Spots For COVID-19

The Oklahoma City-County Health Department has been keeping track of the places COVID-19 spreads the most. This is based on data they have collected through contract tracing.

The Oklahoma City-County Health Department said they have continued to see positive COVID-19 rates grow in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.

To help people out, they decided to start the “serious series” to let residents know where they have determined there is the most transmission of the virus.

“During infectious disease investigations we are contacting those positive cases working to determine where they were exposed and who they were in close contact with,” said L’Toya Knighten, with the OKC-County Health Department.

In the past two weeks, the department said that faith-based venues, restaurants, day cares and office spaces were places with the most transmission of the virus. Out of the day cares, the department said the spread isn’t really among the kids.

“Last week, I believe we were seeing those cases primarily with the staff, but we are starting to see some in individual children now,” said Knighten.

Knighten suggested not to avoid these places, but to play it smart.

“You know if you just love going out to eat and you have a favorite restaurant, call ahead and see if they have curbside for instance,” said Knighten.

She said mask wearing is key to helping stop the spread when you go places.

“It is really about protecting our economy and keeping our economy open, and of course, the other, more importantly, is we don’t want to see our loved ones have severe complications or lose their lives to this virus,” said Knighten.

During the “serious series,” the OKC-County Health Department said they will release new information every Wednesday.