COVID-19 pandemic in Oklahoma

On March 7, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Oklahoma in a patient who had returned from Italy on February 23 and began showing symptoms on February 29.[10]

On March 13, there were 4 cases in Oklahoma, including the first case in Oklahoma City, a woman in her 60s who recently returned from Florida.[11]

On March 15, the number of cases grew to 7, an increase of 75% from March 13. The three new cases were in Cleveland, Payne, and Tulsa counties. The age range of patients was 20 to 69.[12] Governor Stitt held a press conference to announce executive orders.[13]

On March 16, there were 10 cases, an increase of 43% from the previous day.[14] Governor Stitt declared a State of emergency.[15]

On March 17, there were 17 cases.[14] This was an increase of 70% over the previous day.

On March 18, there were 29 cases, an increase of 71% from the previous day's total.[16] In addition, the first COVID-19 patient died of the disease in Tulsa. He was a man in his 50s who had been admitted the day before. Testing capabilities remain limited in Oklahoma.[2]

On March 19, there were 44 cases, an increase of 51% over the previous day.[17]

On March 20, there were 49 cases, an increase of 11%. The majority of the cases were in two counties: Oklahoma (19 cases) and Cleveland (11) Counties.[18]

On March 21, there were 53 cases (an increase of 8%) according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH). The U.S. Small Business Administration approved the State of Oklahoma's request for disaster loans for small businesses that are and will be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.[19]

On March 22, there were 67 cases, an increase of 26% from the day before. In addition, a second patient died. So far, there were no recoveries.[20]

On March 23, there were 81 cases in Oklahoma, an increase of 21% from the previous day. Thirty-six of the 81 cases were in the 18–49 age group, making it the age group with the highest percentage of cases at 44%.[21]

On March 24, the number of cases increased to 106, a jump of 26 additional cases from the day before or 31%. A third person died; she was a woman in her 60s and died in Cleveland County.[22]

On March 25, there were 164 cases of COVID-19 in Oklahoma, an increase of 50 cases in a single day or 55%. The age group with the largest number was 65+ with 55 cases. New counties with cases include Adair, Bryan, Carter, Creek, Delaware, Osage, Pottawatomie and Stephens. In addition, two more people died: a man in his 70s and another in his 40s. Both were from Oklahoma County. The OSDH introduced a testing site in Pittsburgh County with 100 testing kits, and another in Kay County with limited testing supplies.[23]

On March 26, there were 248 cases, an increase of 84 in one day and the highest so far, or an increase of 51%. The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported cases in six more counties: Comanche, Craig, Lincoln, Okmulgee, Ottawa and Sequoyah.[24]

On March 27, there were 322 cases, an increase of 74 or 30%. The death toll climbed to 8 as a male in his 70s in Creek County died.[25] As of this date, there were drive-thru testing sites in four counties: Oklahoma, Tulsa, Kay, and Pittsburg.[26]

On March 28, there were 377 cases, an increase of 55 or 17% more than the day before. There were 7 deaths, bringing the total to 15, an increase of 87%. Six of the victims were over 65 and one was in the 50–64 age group. The virus spread to Le Flore and Nowata counties. The OSDH announced that the University of Oklahoma would have the ability to run 2,800 COVID-19 tests a day.[27]

On March 29, the total number of cases rose to 429, an increase of 14%. There was an additional death: a man aged 50–64 in Oklahoma County, bringing the total number of deaths to 16. The virus also spread to Garfield, Rogers, Seminole and Texas counties.[28]

On March 30, there were 481 confirmed positive cases in Oklahoma, an increase of 12%. Cases had spread to Beckham, Cotton and Love Counties. The death toll rose to 17 with the death of a man in Cleveland County; he was in the 50–64 age group.[29] By the end of the day, the state had received over 60% of its personal protective equipment order from the federal government's Strategic National Stockpile.[30]

On March 31, there were 565 cases of the virus in Oklahoma, an increase of 17%. Six more people died: 4 men older than 65 and a man and a woman in the 50–64 age group, bringing the total number of fatalities to 23. Currently, 31% (565 out of 1,796) of COVID-19 tests are positive. The OSDH reported that the state had ordered millions of dollars of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from private suppliers and was expecting larger quantities of PPE, including N95 masks, in the next week.[30]

On April 1, the number of cases grew to 719, an increase of 27%. Greer County was added to the list of counties with COVID-19 cases. Seven people died of COVID-19: 3 in Oklahoma County and 1 each in Greer, Kay, Mays, and Osage, bringing the death toll to 30. No recoveries have been reported. Thirty-seven percent of tests given have resulted in positive results. There are now enough supplies for 13,000 tests, so the commissioner of health Gary Cox and the governor urged health care providers and testing centers to offer tests to any person with symptoms of COVID-19.[31]

On April 2, there were 879 confirmed cases, an increase of 22%. There were four more deaths: a man in the 36–49 age group and 3 men in the 65-plus age group.[32]

On April 3, the number of cases increased by 12% to 988. Four women over 65 died, bringing the total number of deaths to 38 or 3.8% of cases).[33] There were drive-thru testing sites in 17 counties.[34]

On April 4, cases increased by 17% to 1,159 and the number of deaths to 42. Of the 2,521 Oklahoma residents tested to date, 46% have tested positive. The Oklahoma State Department of Health announced that the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps was recruiting both medical and non-medical volunteers.[35]

On April 5, there were 1,251 cases of COVID-19, an increase of 8%, the lowest percentile increase since March 21. Four more people over 65 died, bringing the total number of Oklahoma deaths due to COVID-19 to 46, or 3.7% of positive cases.[36]

On April 6, cases increased to 1,327 and the number of deaths grew to 51. Jefferson County had its first confirmed case, and the first death from the disease in Pottawatomie occurred.[37]

On April 7, cases increased to 1,472 and deaths increased to 67. The first deaths occurred in Adair and Cherokee counties, while the first cases of the virus were confirmed in Beaver, Dewey, and Marshall counties.[38]

On April 8, the number of deaths grew to 79, with 1,524 total cases.[39]

On June 10, President Donald Trump announced he would hold a rally for his 2020 re-election campaign at the BOK Center in Tulsa on June 19 (later rescheduled to June 20 for sensitivity reasons due to Juneteenth),[40] in his first public campaign event since the pandemic's U.S. activation in March. Concerns were raised that the rally could be a superspreader event; the Trump campaign stated that it would perform temperature checks and offer face masks and hand sanitizer to attendees, while attendees were required to waive the right to hold the Trump campaign liable for any exposure to COVID-19 that may occur at the rally.[41][42]

On June 14, Oklahoma announced its largest single-day increase in cases, at 225. Tulsa County also reported its largest single-day increase since March.

On June 18, the Oklahoma State Department of Health reported that Oklahoma had reached 9,354 cases, an increase of 450, which broke the previous record day-to-day case increase of 259.[43]

On June 20, the Trump campaign held a rally at the BOK Center in Tulsa, with less than 1/3 of the seats at the 19,000 seat event center filled.[44] Prior to the rally it was announced that six campaign staff members were infected with COVID-19, and in the week following the rally dozens of Secret Service members and campaign staff were forced to quarantine due to COVID-19 infections among their colleagues.[6] On the date of the rally the 7-day moving average of new COVID-19 cases in Oklahoma was 281 cases per day; as of July 13 the 7-day moving average has more than doubled, to 626 new cases per day.[3][45]

On July 15, Governor Stitt became the first US state governor to test positive for COVID-19. Despite Governor Stitt not wearing a mask while attending Trump's rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Commissioner of Health Colonel Lance Frye said the rally was too long ago for it to be the cause of the infection and that it was unknown where the governor was infected.[46]

The Oklahoma State Medical Association announced that 1,600 healthcare workers in the state were infected with COVID-19 since the month of February resulting in 6 deaths among the 1,600.[47]

In the 30 day period after the Trump campaign rally the rate of new COVID-19 cases in Oklahoma more than tripled, to 513 cases per day.[3] Rally attendee Herman Cain died of COVID-19 on July 30.[8]

On August 6, Governor Stitt announced that he had contracted COVID-19 after hugging some friends who were visiting from Tulsa.[48][49]

By mid-August, the mask mandate in Oklahoma City had been in place over a month, and the seven-day averages in Oklahoma County had fallen "from 213 daily infections in mid-July to 136 daily infections by mid-August." According to Dr. David Kendrick, studies showed "the positivity rates are declining in cities that have a [masking] policy compared to the ones who don’t." He added that "data showed huge spikes in infections following many gatherings, including a large bump in infection rates for 18-35 year-olds following Memorial Day."[50]

On August 12, 4 staff members at Mid-Del Schools in Midwest City tested positive.[51]

On August 13, 2020, students at Luther Public School District tested positive.[52]

On August 14, 23 sorority sisters tested positive at Oklahoma State University--Stillwater, and their chapter house was quarantined.[53][54] Konawa Public Schools sent students home at noon when a student tested positive.[55]

On August 19, Coyle Public Schools switched to virtual learning after the district's superintendent tested positive.[56]

On August 20, Oklahoma had a 7.9% infection rate, which had dropped from high of 13.5% in late July, but remained above the national average.[50]

On August 21, 1,077 new cases were reported by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, and 6 new deaths.[57] A total of 129 residents had tested positive at the Claremore Veterans Center, with 36 deaths since July 1.[58] Two students and two teachers had tested positive at Grove Public Schools in Tulsa.[59] A spokesperson for the Mayor of Tulsa said she was surprised to hear that the August 16 White House Coronavirus Task Force State Report for Oklahoma had not been shared with the city. Mayor Bynum said he was surprised to hear from Deborah Birx that "there had been eight or so of the weekly COVID-19 reports."[60] Little Axe Public School District announced it would "move to virtual learning after several staff members began showing signs of COVID-19."[61] An Edmond Public Schools student was quarantined after a teacher tested positive for COVID-19.[62]

On August 22, 853 cases were reported by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, and 10 new deaths. Over 35 percent of the new cases were in people aged 18–35, and over 50% of were in people under 50.[63]

On March 16, the OSDH authorized facilities such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, and detention centers to restrict visitation by the public.[65] On March 24, Governor Stitt announced a "Safer at Home" executive order effective through April 30, requiring vulnerable populations (including those over the age of 65 or with underlying health conditions) to remain at their residences unless conducting essential shopping, medical appointments, or exercise. Effective March 25, gatherings of more than 10 people were prohibited. In the 19 counties that had a confirmed case, "non-essential" businesses that involve social gatherings or close contact (such as bars, dine-in restaurants, gyms, and personal care facilities) were ordered to close for 21 days. This order would also be applied to any other county that had new positive cases going forward.[28][66][67] On March 25, the state board of education voted to close all public schools until the end of the school year.[68]

On March 31, the business closures were extended through April 30, and became effective state-wide on April 1. Stitt encouraged residents to support local restaurants, which would still be allowed to offer take-out services. Stitt also encouraged medical officials to increase their testing of those with any symptoms or had been recently in contact with someone who had tested positive.[69][70]

The Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood sued the state over including non-emergency abortions in its suspension of elective procedures at hospitals. On April 6, District Judge Charles Goodwin issued a restraining order requiring the state to resume offering abortions, as restricting them would cause "irreparable harm" to women.[71] On April 15, the Safer at Home order was extended through May 6, with Stitt stating that elective surgeries could resume on April 24.

On April 23, Governor Kevin Stitt announced that phase 1 of the reopening of business would begin April 24, including personal care facilities, state parks, outdoor recreation, and that dine-in restaurants (excluding bars), cinemas, gyms, sports venues, and places of worship could reopen on May 1, subject to social distancing and other sanitation protocols and guidelines per-industry. Phase 2 began May 15, including reopening of bars at limited capacity, funerals and weddings, and organized sports, subject to social distancing.[72][73] Phase 3 began June 1, including businesses that had been restricted to appointments only, summer camps, and limited visitation at hospitals, and for long-term care facilities in end-of-life situations. Guidance regarding social distancing and the Safer at Home guidelines for vulnerable residents remain in force.[74]

The Choctaw Nation in Southeastern Oklahoma received financial aid from the people and government of the Republic of Ireland to pay back the tribe for their donation of food to the Irish people during the Great Famine of Ireland in 1850, which was 170 years ago.[75]

An August 12 Tulsa World editorial stated, "Last week our number of confirmed cases are up 991% from May 1, when the state’s reopening began. Deaths are up 55%. Hospitalizations are up 123%. That’s not the result of more testing. It’s the result of more disease."

On August 14, Dr. Deborah Birx led a roundtable discussion at the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa. She was described as "unwavering on the necessity for masks and distancing in public."[53]

On August 21, a spokesperson for the Mayor of Tulsa said she was surprised to hear that the August 16 White House Coronavirus Task Force State Report for Oklahoma had not been shared with the city. Mayor Bynum said he was surprised to hear from Deborah Birx that "there had been eight or so of the weekly COVID-19 reports."[60] A Coronavirus testing plan was announced for Oklahoma teachers.[76]

On August 22, Governor Stitt indicated that he would begin releasing the White House Coronavirus Task Force reports on Oklahoma. The reports, which call for mask mandates and bar closures, indicate that Oklahoma remains "one of nine states in the “red zone” for coronavirus infections because of more than 100 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people."[77] Regional metro areas in the red zone included Tulsa, Enid, McAlester, Fort Smith, Miami and Guymon. The eighteen counties in the red zone were: Tulsa, Caddo, Choctaw, Coal, Creek, Garfield, Kingfisher, Mayes, McCurtain, McIntosh, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Pittsburg, Rogers, Sequoyah, Texas, and Wagoner.[60]

On September 1, Governor Stitt urged Oklahomans to wash their hands, practice social distancing, and wearing a mask in public. The Governor however, stated he would not issue a statewide mask mandate and continue to let that decision be made on the local level.[78]

On March 28, a state executive order was amended to require 14 days of self-isolation for anyone traveling to Oklahoma by air from six states that had a large number of cases, including California, Connecticut, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, and Washington.[79]

The National Basketball Association suspended its 2019–20 season on March 11 after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19 prior to a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.[41]

The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) postponed its high school basketball tournaments, and all other spring semester sports activities.[42][84]

On June 26, the Oklahoma State Fair was canceled.[85] On August 11, The Tulsa State Fair was canceled.[45]