COVID-19 UPDATES 4/15/20

Let’s Stay Calm, Stay Positive, and STAY HOME!


HEALTH DEPARTMENT STATUS

• As of this advisory, there are 2,263 positive cases of COVID-19 and 123 deaths in Oklahoma. There are still 52 positive cases in Comanche County. Please follow CDC guidelines and the Governor’s executive order. 
• The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) continues to support guidelines from the CDC related to social distancing and personal hygiene. OSDH encourages Oklahomans to stay home, reduce person-to-person contact, wash hands frequently, and avoid touching your face. If you develop symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath or cough, please contact your medical professional or call the COVID-19 call center at 877-215-8336 or 211 for assistance.
• For more information, visitcoronavirus.health.ok.gov.

 
PERSONAL PAYMENTS FROM FEDS UNDERWAY

• Oklahomans have started receiving their $1,200 relief PAYMENTS under the federal coronavirus relief bill.
• ELECTRONIC deposits to tax filers whose bank information is on file with the Internal Revenue Service are occurring now and throughout April.
• PAPER checks will be distributed beginning in May, with distribution continuing perhaps through summer.
• Payments are being made in reverse adjusted gross income order, starting with people with LOWER incomes first.
• For MORE information, visit irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments

 
ANTIBODY TESTING

• A private health lab this week will TEST for COVID-19 antibodies in a sample of specimens taken from Oklahomans across the state.
• RESULTS from the testing could help health officials determine how far the virus has spread among people experiencing no or minor symptoms, and make decisions about when it is safe for individuals to return to regular activities.  

 
CURVE BELOW MODELING PROJECTIONS A WEEK FROM PEAK

• With the Health Department’s projected April 21 peak of COVID-19 cases less than a week out, major categories such as deaths, hospitalizations and confirmed cases are BELOW projections.
• Officials said this could CHANGE and no model is perfect.  

 
DAILY STATISTICAL SNAPSHOT

• RECOVERIES were up by 100, putting total recoveries at 1,155. DEATHS were up by nine, putting total deaths at 108.
• There have been 29,098 TESTS reported, with 2,184 CONFIRMED cases after 120 new cases yesterday.
• There are 921 ACTIVE cases and 179 people HOSPITALIZED, with 107 of them in ICU, leaving 42% of the state’s current ICU beds available. There have been 488 hospitalizations over the course of the pandemic.
• There are now more than 80 TESTING sites statewide. Get details at coronavirus.health.ok.gov/drive-thru-testing

 
As always, I can be reached via email at daniel.pae@okhouse.gov and phone at 405-557-7374.