OSDH Warns Of Possible COVID-19 Spike Due To Super Bowl Gatherings

The Oklahoma State Department of Health is reminding Oklahomans not to let their guard down ahead of Super Bowl weekend. While COVID cases are trending down, the department is concerned that may change after the Super Bowl.

“Traditionally that's a time where many of us gather with friends and family to celebrate that event together. We want to remind everyone that just like the holidays and other circumstances these kind of get togethers pose a risk of transmission,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Jared Taylor said.

The health department is encouraging people to practice the 3 W's if they're attending a Super Bowl event.

Deputy Commissioner Keith Reed said right now the trends are in their favor and their focusing on bringing in more resources. One being a megapod.

“If we could get one in or near one of our metro areas, and then maybe one more because they have them in multiple sizes that can do a thousand a day that we could put elsewhere in the state. By doing so we could provide concentrated efforts in our population centers,” Reed said. “Hopefully that will allow us more flexibility with the remaining resources we have so we can target our areas that were being underserved.”

The health department said their request has not been approved yet. But without a huge increase in supply health officials said they're not sure when they could move on to everyone else in phase 2.

“If we were suddenly blessed with unlimited supply, then yes we could do that but that doesn't seem to be realistic as far as an expectation,” Reed said.

The health department said they're expecting more vaccines to be available in the state by the end of the month. If that happens, they'll look into vaccinating other groups.