Tulsa County Sees Big Increase In COVID-19 Cases

Tulsa Health Director Dr. Bruce Dart said positive COVID-19 cases in Tulsa County are going in the wrong direction.

"Early last week, we began to see a marked increase in the number of new cases reported daily," said Dart.

Dart said between June 6th and June 13th, the county saw a 116 percent increase in new cases.

On June 17, they reported 96 new cases, which was their highest since the pandemic began.

“Unfortunately, we continue to set new records in the number of cases reported in Tulsa County," said Dart.

Because of the increase, Dr. Dart said they have increased their contact tracing team to 60 people.

They've determined community spread has been common.

Dart said they're also noticing more young people in the 18 to 35 age range being infected.

"While the risk of severe complications is lower for lower people, they can spread it those who are more vulnerable and that's one of our major concerns," said Dart.

Despite the increase, hospitalization rates have remained low and manageable.

Mayor G.T. Bynum said about 30 people are hospitalized for the virus within the county - and a specially designed COVID unit at OSU Medical Center only has 3 patients.

With big events planned this weekend in Tulsa - city leaders are encouraging people to wear masks whenever you're out in public.

"We have a responsibility to protect each other through this, through responsible behavior in our daily lives,” said Mayor Bynum. “Not pointing the finger at protests over a couple of weeks or pointing a finger at a rally that's going to occur."