Monday, July 5th 2021, 9:54 am
This holiday, we finally saw celebrations without mask mandates or capacity limits nationwide. However, experts said do not be fooled. The coronavirus still has a noticeable presence in our lives.
"This year, we have already exceeded the number of COVID deaths this year than we had in 2020," OU chief COVID officer Dr. Dale Bratzler said.
Public health officials remain concerned with the fight against the virus. Overall, the country fell short of the goal to get 70% of adults partially vaccinated by July 4. Currently, only 67.1% of adults have been vaccinated thus far.
Meanwhile in Oklahoma, that figure is at 57.2%. New cases in the state are rising with an average of 225 new cases every day. There are 127 Oklahomans currently hospitalized.
The newest concern is the highly-contagious Delta variant of the virus, which represents 30% of new COVID-19 cases nationwide.
The good news is vaccinating works. Officials said it's the best way to end the pandemic for good.
"The darkest of years, a year of pandemic and isolation, a year of pain, fear, and heartbreaking loss," President Joe Biden said. "No longer controls our lives. It no longer paralyzes our nation, and it's within our power to make sure it never does again."
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines both protect against the known variants and prevent hospitalizations but receiving both doses ensures greater protection.
If you'd like to schedule a vaccination appointment, click here.
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