Oklahoma COVID-19 Cases Surge; Tulsa Has Most Patients In Hospitals

For the first time since February, the Oklahoma State Department of Health reported more than 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 statewide – and Tulsa has the most COVID-19 patients in the hospital.

All hospitals in the Tulsa metro, including Ascension St. John, Saint Francis and Hillcrest Health Systems, told News On 6 they are seeing more COVID-19 patients compared to the last few months.

Saint Francis said it has two COVID-19 floors open right now, compared to five during the peak of the pandemic. Meanwhile, other health systems in smaller towns are running out of room.

Saint Francis Health System said it has 69 COVID-19 patients ranging from eight weeks to 94 years old.

System medical director, Dr. Ryan Parker, said there is enough staffing, but these hospitalizations could be prevented.

"Over 90 percent of our patients are unvaccinated, and I think that's what makes this so much more disappointing for me this year as opposed to last year,” explained Parker.

The Tulsa and northeast regions currently make up about half of the statewide three-day average of hospitalizations.

Dr. Bruce Dart with the Tulsa Health Department said that is because the hot spots in Springfield and Joplin, Missouri are spreading.

Related Story: COVID-19 Cases Surge In Oklahoma Counties Bordering Missouri, Arkansas https://www.newson6.com/story/60ee2cdaca74640be57f3a51/covid19-cases-surge-in-oklahoma-counties-bordering-missouri-arkansas-

"Just by proximity, the virus is reaching here and sadly, it's impacting those who are unvaccinated,” explained Dart. “They're being exposed. They're being infected and they're exposing and infecting others."

The state's latest reports showed 1,082 new cases and 271 hospitalizations.

As of one week ago, July 7, Oklahoma had 151 new cases and 166 hospitalizations.

One year ago, July 14, 2020, the state reported 993 new cases and 561 hospitalizations. Oklahoma's hospital peak was January 5 with 1,994 hospitalized.

Dr. Mary Clarke with the Oklahoma State Medical Association said with the highly-contagious Delta variant, health experts are worried hospitals could be overwhelmed again.

"They are working on increasing staff, working on increasing nursing, making sure that ventilators are available," said Clarke.

The state health department reported of those who have recently been hospitalized with COVID-19, 90 percent have not been vaccinated.

The department also said cases are especially increasing in Oklahomans ages 18 to 35, which is the group with the fewest people vaccinated in the state.

All the health experts News On 6 interviewed for this story, along with Oklahoma State Department of Health Commissioner, Dr. Lance Frye, stressed the importance of getting vaccinated to protect yourself and others.

“The more people who are vaccinated, the better we can prevent new strains from spreading and keep people in our schools and businesses safe” said Frye. “The vaccines available are safe and effective, as we have seen millions of people nationwide safely complete their vaccination series.”