COVID-19 Ravages Oklahoma: State Suffers Second-Highest Death Rate In The United States
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 30, 2024 10 months, 3 weeks, 3 days, 8 hours, 1 minute ago
COVID-19 News - United States: In a disheartening turn of events, Oklahoma has surpassed a grim milestone, recording over 20,000 COVID-19 deaths since the onset of the pandemic in 2020. The state now bears the weight of having the second-highest COVID-19 death rate in the entire United States, raising concerns about the impact of the virus on the local population. Arizona currently holds the title of being the state with the highest COVID-19 death rates while in terms of actual number of COVID-19 deaths, the state of California is leading with more than 101,159 deaths!
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1103688/coronavirus-covid19-deaths-us-by-state/
Oklahoma Suffers Second-Highest Death Rate In The United States
This
COVID-19 News - United States report delves into the current state of COVID-19 in Oklahoma, exploring key statistics, vaccination rates, and personal stories that shed light on the human toll of the pandemic.
Oklahoma's Staggering Death Toll
As of the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Oklahoma has witnessed a total of 20,055 COVID-19 deaths, translating to a death rate of 437.5 per 100,000 people.
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#maps_new-admissions-rate-county
The gravity of the situation becomes apparent when examining the county-specific data, with Oklahoma County leading in total deaths at 2,668, followed closely by Tulsa County with 2,313 and Cleveland County at 777.
Positivity Rates and Recent Trends
Data from the Oklahoma State Department of Health reveals a 10.8% COVID-19 positivity rate in the state for the week of January 20.
https://oklahoma.gov/health/health-education/acute-disease-service/viral-view/covid-19.html
Although this marks a decline from a spike observed around the holidays, where positivity reached 16.3% during the week of December 23, it remains a cause for concern.
The persistent positivity, coupled with a daily average of 101 COVID-19 hospital admissions over the last seven days, poses ongoing challenges for the state's healthcare infrastructure. Seminole County, located east of Oklahoma City, currently leads the state with a daily average of 33 COVID-19 hospital admissions, followed closely by Lincoln and Okfuskee counties at 27 and Oklahoma County at 26.
Vaccination Efforts and Rates
Efforts to curb the spread of the virus include vaccination campaigns, and in Oklahoma, 61% of the population has completed the primary COVID-19 vaccine series. Additionally, 12% have received the bivalent booster, according to data compiled by The New
York Times. Oklahoma County is a frontrunner in vaccination rates, with 70% of residents having completed their primary series, followed by Caddo County at 68% and Comanche County at 67%. For bivalent boosters, Cleveland and Oklahoma counties lead at 16%, with Noble and Tulsa counties close behind at 15%.
Personal Stories Reflecting the Toll
Amidst the statistics lies the poignant story of Larry Annuschat, an Oklahoma farmer who tragically lost five siblings to COVID-19 in just 22 days. Larry recounts the names of his departed siblings, emphasizing the impact on his close-knit family. Despite facing personal adversity, Larry highlights the importance of faith and resilience, urging others not to quit in the face of challenges. Dr George Monks, former president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, emphasizes that underlying health problems, particularly among vulnerable populations such as seniors, contribute significantly to the state's high death toll.
https://kfor.com/news/local/oklahoma-passes-20000-covid-deaths-second-state-in-the-nation-for-the-most-deaths/
Hope Amidst Challenges
Dr Monks acknowledges the contagious nature of the new COVID variant but expresses optimism that deaths in Oklahoma may decrease in the coming month. He emphasizes the importance of faith and perseverance, echoing Larry Annuschat's sentiments. As the state grapples with the aftermath of the pandemic, the collective hope is that declining cases will pave the way for reduced hospitalizations and, eventually, a decrease in COVID-19-related deaths.
Conclusion
Oklahoma's battle against COVID-19 remains a poignant narrative of loss, resilience, and the ongoing challenges faced by the state. As efforts to vaccinate the population continue and individuals share their personal stories, the hope is that Oklahoma will soon witness a decline in the devastating impact of the virus. The collective resolve to combat COVID-19 persists, emphasizing the importance of vaccination, adherence to safety measures, and the unwavering spirit of communities in the face of adversity.
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COVID-19 News - United States keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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