Tulsa Health Department Changing How It Reports COVID-19 Data On Its Website

The Tulsa Health Department is changing the way it reports some COVID-19 data on its website.

Starting on Wednesday, the Tulsa Health Department will no longer update its zip code risk map, showing transmission data in the county.

The department will replace it with a COVID-19 community-level tool from the CDC.

Executive Director Dr. Bruce Dart says it is because the CDC released new criteria last week to classify COVID-19 risks on a county level.

The tool uses three metrics, including new cases reported, new hospital admissions and the percentage of hospital beds being used by COVID patients.

"These more accurately reflect metrics to the current situation in Tulsa County. They show us current levels of population immunity and tools available for public health and clinical care. To align with this shift from the CDC we will be discontinuing to zip code risk map on our data page," said Dr. Dart.

According to Dr. Dart, the CDC's tool currently shows Tulsa County in the high level but says cases are dropping.

In the past week, the department reported 642 cases in Tulsa County. A month ago that number was more than 12,000.