COVID-19 claims second Sand Springs victim, total Oklahoma cases up to 4,201

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The number of cumulative diagnosed COVID-19 cases in Oklahoma has risen to 4,201 with 2,909 recoveries, leaving 1,292 known active cases in the state. Sand Springs has totaled 34 cases with 30 recoveries and two deaths.

There are currently 230 hospitalized Oklahomans, bringing the cumulative total to 784 since the pandemic began. Hospitals currently have more than 4,300 beds available, with 343 available in Adult ICU. There are 872 ventilators available.

There have been an additional six deaths linked to COVID-19, with one occurring in the past 24 hours and five occurring between May 2nd and May 4th. A second Sand Springs resident has died.

The City of Sand Springs has allowed personal care businesses, restaurants, gyms, tattoo parlors, sporting venues, and churches to reopen with some restrictions and increased sanitation protocols. The City is eyeing May 15th as a tentative date for allowing organized sports, weddings, and funerals to resume. The City Parks Department plans to reopen splash pads, playgrounds, public restrooms, outdoor sports courts, as well as the Case Community Center, Keystone Ancient Forest, and Cultural and Historical Museum on June 1st.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health has issued a statement recognizing National Nurses Day.

“We greatly appreciate all that you, as critically important health professionals, do to keep Oklahomans healthy,” said Health Commissioner Gary Cox. “Especially during this pandemic, you provide unwavering care for us at all hours and often behind the scenes. National Nurses Day is a great opportunity to raise awareness of your important role.”

National Nurses Day was established in 1954 to mark the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s contribution to the field of medicine. Nightingale is often credited as the founder of modern nursing, as she is responsible for many of the standards that are required of present-day nurses, including strict handwashing and hygiene practices.

Today, nursing remains one of the most popular careers in the United States. According to a 2014 study conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses made up the largest portion of the healthcare workforce in the United States. In Oklahoma, there are over 56,000 Registered Nurses (RNs), 18,000 Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and 3,572 Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).

The OSDH would like to encourage everyone to show appreciation for the nurses in their lives today, and through the rest of National Nursing Week, which concludes on May 12.

The State has processed 83,401 negative tests to-date and has 52,217 collection kits available. Governor Kevin Stitt has requested all testing sites to begin testing everyone, regardless of symptoms. A list of testing stations can be found at this link.

The Centers for Disease Control are reporting 1,171,510 cases nationwide with 68,279 deaths. Oklahoma is 37th in total cases (44th per capita) and 30th in deaths.

The World Health Organization is reporting 3,595,662 cases worldwide with 247,652 deaths. The United States lead the world in total cases, followed by Spain (219,329), Italy (213,013), The United Kingdom (194,994) and Russia (165,929).