OSDH Reports Positive Results Switching To New COVID-19 Reporting System

Monday was the first day the Oklahoma State Department of Health switched to a new reporting system for COVID-19.

State health officials said this is one of their steps in transitioning out of pandemic response.

The new system is now home to all things COVID-19 in the state. It contains cases, deaths, case investigations, contact tracing and more.

This has also added in their new program for contact tracing. So now if someone has received a positive COVID-19 test they will receive a text message from OSDH to complete their own contact tracing and answer questions.

OSDH officials said so far, things have been running smoothly since they made the switch on Monday.

"When it comes to reporting of deaths and deaths associated with cases that are reported," said Jolianne Stone, the state's epidemiologist. "That is housed in this as well, so this is the new systems that is going to house all of our COVID data."

Stone said with the new system, Oklahomans will be notified quicker of a positive test result.

"It is actually taking the lab results that have been reported to us from hospitals," said Stone. "Clinics and labs and going into the system. immediately when it hits that system then individuals would be notified via text message."

Stone shared what the texts will look like so people know it is not a scam.

Stone said OSDH sent out 400 messages just in the first day with the new system. 

"So far, we have had good responses that we can monitor in our system," said Stone.

If someone can't complete the contact tracing through a smartphone or prefer not to, a contact tracer with the department will do it over the phone.

Moving out of the pandemic, Stone said they hope that this will allow for a more streamline process in case investigations and housing vital state data on COVID.

"It allows us to track what might be occurring and some risk factors so we can continue to provide the best direction for Oklahomans," said Stone.