Kay County has first virus death

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Kay County has first virus death

Thu, 04/02/2020 - 14:02
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Kay County had its first death due to complications from the COVID-19 virus, a male older than 65, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health. An additional six deaths were reported statewide Wednesday with three in Oklahoma County, one in Greer County, one in Mayes County and one in Osage County. The death toll in Oklahoma now stands at 30.

There are 713 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Oklahoma. That is an increase of 163 from results released on Tuesday. Hospitalizations have increased across the state now to 219. Kay County remains with 24 confirmed cases.

During a conference call Wednesday afternoon with Sen. Frank Lucas, he said most health officials have said over 98 percent of people who get COVID-19 would get over it. “Even if they are hospitalized they would likely get over it,” he said.

“It’s the other one to one-and-a-half percent of the population that we have to worry about. We have all got to be extremely careful.” Some countries, like Iran, have decided not to slow it down and let it run its course. That is just not the way we operate in America,” he said.

“COVID-19 is never going away. We are going to need to get a shot for it just like we would for the flu or anything else,” he said.

“We have all got to do our part in slowing this thing down and give our health care workers a chance to fight this. Stay home and be careful of your elders and anyone with health issues,” said Lucas. “I haven’t seen my in-laws in weeks. I even self-quarantined myself for 14 days before I saw my mother because she’s over 80. Everyone needs to follow these same practices.”

Lucas warned that things in Oklahoma will likely get worse before it gets better. “We are a few weeks behind New York so you look at where they are right now and know we will be going through that in a few weeks. Everyone needs to take a deep breath and understand that we are in for a long roller-coaster ride.”