State Medical Leaders Say COVID-19 Safety Measures Are Helping Limit Spread Of The Flu

Medical leaders involved with the Healthier Oklahoma Coalition said the state is seeing lower transmission of the flu because more people are taking safety measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. The state has yet to report a flu-related death, according to the Coalition.

Dr. Jean Hausheer, the leader of the COVID-19 Healthier Oklahoma Coalition Task Force, said people are doing things like wearing masks and washing hands more often to stop the spread of COVID-19, but it is also having a positive effect on flu season.

“When we carefully ponder why this is the case we simply know that in general much of the population here in Oklahoma have embraced and exemplified appropriate and enhanced safety measures throughout this particular flu season,” said Dr. Hausheer.

Members of the Coalition also reported the state is seeing record highs in hospitalizations related to COVID-19. They said Oklahoma is sixth in the country in the rate of new COVID-19 cases in just the last week.

Medical leaders said this is likely because of people getting together for the recent holiday season.

The Coalition said Oklahoma ranks 11th in the country when it comes to distributing the vaccine, an area they’re still hoping to improve.