COVID-19 REPORT: Total coronavirus cases in Oklahoma near 291,000

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma State Department of Health’s data on its website showed Thursday the state’s total number of coronavirus cases since the pandemic began now sets at 290,936 with 255,843 listed as recovered, 32,604 active and 2,489 deceased.

The number of active cases in the state increased by 241 from Wednesday’s reported total of 32,363. As of Dec. 30, the state’s COVID-19 hospitalizations data showed a total of 1,916.

In the 14 counties that make up the Cherokee Nation, the state’s data showed a total of 88,687 coronavirus cases with 77,729 recovered, 10,143 active and 815 deceased. The number of active cases in the 14 counties decreased by 43 from Wednesday’s reported total of 10,186.

As of Dec. 31, numbers, from the Cherokee Nation, show 10,516 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the tribe’s health system since the pandemic began. The number of confirmed cases in the tribe’s health system increased by 61 from the previous reported total of 10,455.

A statement from Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. on the tribe’s website implored everyone to do their part in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.



“We must all act to stay healthy, monitoring our own health and that of our family, limiting travel, if possible, and checking on our elders who are most vulnerable,” Hoskin said. “The Cherokee Nation has secured federal funding to help us combat and treat any coronavirus cases, ensure our medical staff are trained to identify, treat and respond to patients efficiently and have the ability to do our own testing.”



The tribe announced on its Facebook page that beginning June 8 the COVID-19 drive-thru screening clinics will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon at all Cherokee Nation health facilities due to extreme heat temperatures.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.



The Cherokee Nation established a call center with the number 833-528-0063 for tribal citizens who have questions about COVID-19. It is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.