Okla. Ranked 3rd In Positive Tests According To Recent Coronavirus Task Force Report

In its new report, the White House Coronavirus Task Force ranks Oklahoma 21st in the nation for new cases per capita for the last week.

The Task Force also ranks the state 3rd in test positive percentage, 33rd in deaths per capita, and 7th in new weekly hospitalizations per 100 beds.

In it’s latest report, the state health department said 1,728 Oklahomans are fighting COVID-19 in hospitals and 96% of ICU beds are full.

OU Health’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Cameron Manton, said non-emergency surgeries are sometimes being delayed for months to help manage all of the patients.

He said providers are being stretched thin and the staff is experiencing burnout.

“Everybody is tired. We have people who have worked for 15 years,” said the doctor. “I heard about one today, who just came in and said ‘I’m sorry, I’m done. I can’t do this anymore. I’ve got to go home. I have to decompress. I have to grieve. I can’t deal with this anymore.’”

Dr. Chris Harris, a family medicine resident at OU Health said wait times to get a bed are going up.

“We are going to take care of the highest priority patients first, and unfortunately, the wait is going to be long,” said Dr. Harris.

A nurse at SSM St. Anthony hospital said some COVID-19 patients are dying without loved ones around them.

“Sometimes these patients are dying without their families by their side,” said nurse Amy Petit. “I know all of the nurses I work with, we try not to let anyone die alone.”

The White House Coronavirus Task Force is encouraging Oklahoma to implement a mask mandate and to make sure residents keep their gatherings outside.