Covid-19 Updates

The executive order that allowed release of detailed information about Covid-19 cases across the state expired May 31. At that time, the Oklahoma State Department of Health quit posting case numbers by city and for counties with less than 20,000 inhabitants.

However, it quickly reversed itself on the county figures and returned to posting those statistics almost immediately. Then, on June 3 the Oklahoma Attorney General notified the OSDH releasing the data about COVID-19 infections does not violate state or federal law, as long as individuals are not identifiable.

After consultation with the attorney general, the OSDH resumed releasing local infection data and deaths. Data, such as age and race, is only released on a statewide basis.

As of June 9, there were 10 confirmed cases of the Covid-19 virus in Blaine County. There have been no deaths and eight recoveries.

The cases have been in Watonga and Geary, with four each, Okeene and Longdale, with one each. Other cases that were initially reported in the county that have been removed from the total were cases of mistaken zip codes.

Statewide there have been 7,363 confirmed cases, up 158 since yesterday, resulting in 353 deaths, none in the past 24 hours. The five new deaths reported occurred between April 5 and June 7. Nationally, there have been 1,960,897 confirmed cases, up 17,252 from yesterday, 110,990 deaths, with 465 reported in the last 24 hours, and 518,522 recoveries, 12,155 in the last day.

Connie Burcham can be reached at Editor@WatongaRepublican.com