COVID-19

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Omicron?

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Donna Smith was vaccinated, booster shot and all, and ready to travel. Then came reports a new fast-spreading COVID-19 variant, Omicron, raising the specter of a new wave of infections, hospitalizations and deaths.
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Q&A: Alpha, beta, gamma, delta — how variants of the COVID-19 virus continue to evolve

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The delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been making headlines as it has quickly become the most prevalent strain in America. But other variants of the virus are still out there, and more will form as the virus continues to spread.
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COVID-19 PREVENTION & INFORMATION

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In the interest of the health of our beloved community, our Ponca City Main Street Board has decided to make our normal Crazy Days weekend strictly a shopping event this year, and not host our usual Street Party at the Veterans’ Plaza. As much as we’d like to see our community gathering in downtown Ponca City for the party, with COVID-19 cases on the rise, we feel it just isn’t safe. This was a difficult decision, but the safety of our community is always one of our highest priorities.

United Way establishes relief fund

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By KRISTI HAYES
kristi@poncacitynews.com
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic across the United States, United Way of Ponca City has established the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund dedicated to increasing resilience among the most vulnerable individuals and families.
Melissa Young, executive director of United Way of Ponca City, said this fund will support partner agencies of United Way of Ponca City.

Support Local Businesses

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By KRISTI HAYES
kristi@poncacitynews.com
The COVID-19 virus has hit communities hard. Ponca City is no exception. Ponca City Monthly and MyMediaMatters have created a special online location for consumers to find information about how to shop and support small businesses online in Ponca City.
Kelsey Wagner said, “We are being tested in ways we never thought possible. At this time, our small businesses need our support more than ever and we want to do everything we can to help.”

COVID-19 cases grow

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By KRISTI HAYES
kristi@poncacitynews.com
The number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Oklahoma continue to increase. As of Wednesday morning there are 164 positive cases in the state. Kay County remains at five confirmed cases.
There are two more additional deaths, both from Oklahoma County, one male in his 70s and one male in his 40s. That brings the number of deaths in Oklahoma to five.
There have been 805 negative test results and 59 hospitalizations due to the coronavirus.