SSM Changes Visitation Policies As Delta Variant Spreads

The state health department said 880 Oklahomans are hospitalized with COVID-19. New cases have jumped by more than 2,100 in the last 24 hours. 

Due to rising cases, SSM is the second local health system to update their visitation policies just this week. 

Only one person is allowed to stay with each patient overnight, masks will now be required at all times, and everyone is subject to screening. 

According to the State Health Department over the last 30 days unvaccinated people accounted for 75 percent of COVID-19 related hospitalizations. Most of those patients were between 50 and 64 years old. 

With breakthrough cases, patients 65 and older are being hit the hardest. 

The state said within the last month, 114 people in that age group were sent to the hospital with COVID, even after they got their shots. 

The biggest different between unvaccinated and vaccinated hospitalizations is the 18 through 35-year-old range. Only 4 fully vaccinated people in that range were in the hospital, that number jumps to 70 for the unvaccinated.