Health Experts Issue Warning As OSDH Reports More Than 1,000 New COVID-19 Cases

New cases of COVID-19 surged to nearly 1,100 in the last 24 hours, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

The figure is nearly double the average for the last seven days.

State Commissioner of Health Dr. Lance Frye said the number accurately reflects an increase in community spread happening across the state.

Dr. Frye also said the increase particularly affects those ages 18 to 35 who are unvaccinated.

Dr. Frye pointed to the Delta variant which he said is more contagious and spreads quicker than the original virus. The state also reported 271 hospitalizations Wednesday.

Out of those hospitalized with the virus, Dr. Frye said 90 percent are not vaccinated.

“Even if you are young and healthy, COVID-19 can cause severe illness, and if you get sick, you are likely to infect others,” Dr. Frye said in part. “As variants emerge, it is critical that all Oklahomans do their part to protect our communities from the spread of more severe strains of COVID-19.”

The new case numbers surged above 1,000 for the first time since April.