Covid-19 Updates

As of the June 23 Oklahoma State Department of Health update, there are 11,028 cases of Covid-19 in Oklahoma, 14 in Blaine County. The statewide figure is up 295 from the June 22. There have been 371 deaths statewide, with two reported in the past 24 hours. One is believed to have died in the last day.

Nationally, there have been 2,312,300 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, up 31,010 from the previous report, with 640,198 recoveries, also up from the previous report by 18,068 cases. There have been 120,402 deaths in the United States, up by 425 from the last report issued.

The 14 cases in Blaine County are broken down into six in Watonga, five recovered; four in Geary, three recovered; two in Longdale, both recovered; one in Okeene, recovered. That leaves one case unaccounted for. The state may lump that case into the ‘other’ category, which includes multiple small towns and zip codes. Neither Canton nor Fay appear on the list as towns with cases but could be included in the ‘other’ numbers.

The OSDH has encouraged residents who plan to attend large gatherings to be tested for the virus prior to the event and after as well, even if no symptoms occur, and to wear masks where social distancing is not possible.

“Personal responsibility remains key in protecting yourself and our local communities from COVID-19. We continue to encourage Oklahomans to consider wearing a mask, to routinely wash hands, and to use physical distancing measures, which are recommendations set forth by the CDC,” said Interm Commissioner Lance Frye, MD. “As a society, we face a delicate balance of creating a new normal that takes into account public health, mental health and economic risks. It will take all of us working together, as one state, to overcome the many challenges COVID-19 presents until there is a widely available vaccine,” Frye said.

Locally testing is available at the Blaine County Health Department by appointment only. The office is located at 521 W. Fourth Street and may be reached by telephone at (580) 623-7977. Appointments are usually within 24-48 hours of calling, depending on nurse availability, and results are back within three to seven days.

Connie Burcham can be reached at Editor@WatongaRepublican.com