May 11, 2020
By News Director Jared Atha
The number of active cases of COVID-19 in the area remain low, unfortunately a death out of Jackson County has been reported.
According to health officials the death was a male in the 65 and older age group. Following the death, that leaves Jackson County with 1 active case of the virus. Elsewhere Greer County has 4 active cases, Kiowa County has 3, and Beckham County has 2.
Harmon, Washita, and Roger Mills Counties are still without a reported positive case.
Statewide Oklahoma has seen an additional 3 deaths due to COVID-19 with 2 occurring in the past 24 hours. The state’s death count now stands at 275.
The number of hospitalizations has dropped below 200, with only 177 Oklahomans hospitalized due to the virus.
Currently there are 1,335 active cases of COVID-19 in Oklahoma.
The number of actual infections is thought to be far higher because many people haven’t been tested and studies suggest people can be infected without showing symptoms.
Various businesses, including department stores and fitness centers, began reopening Friday as part of Gov. Kevin Stitt “Open Up and Recover Safely” plan.
If hospital rates remain at a “manageable level” for the next week, Stitt’s plan calls for organized sports activities, funerals and weddings, and children’s nursery operations at houses of worship to resume on Friday.
Wheeler County Texas has seen its first COVID-19 recovery over the weekend, however the county is still seeing growing numbers of active cases.
According to the Texas Department of State Health, Wheeler County has had 14 confirmed cases as of Monday morning, with 1 case being reported as recovered. Southern neighbor Collingsworth County Texas has seen 3 additional cases pop over the weekend, bringing its total to 4. Hemphill County Texas still has just 1 case.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.