By KRISTI HAYES
kristi@poncacitynews.com
A second confirmed case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Kay County. The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. There are currently 17 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Oklahoma.
At this time, all test results conducted through the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) public health laboratory are sent to the ordering physician or submitting clinical facility. Test status or results will not be provided by phone. If test results are positive, public health officials initiate an investigation, which results in notifying the patient and provider to conduct the case investigation and contact tracing procedures.
The OSDH says the state has had 247 negative tests and another 82 are pending results.
There have been zero cases reported in Oklahoma from zero through 17 years of age. There are eight cases ages 18-49, five ages 50 to 64 and 4 ages 65 and over. Positive test results include six females and 11 males.
Testing materials remain in short supply. Patients are encouraged to consult their physician or public health professional about their symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath. Clinicians may recommend testing for other respiratory illnesses, including flu, before recommending a COVID-19 test. Those individuals who are uninsured may call 211 for community resources.
OSDH encourages people who need to engage with state agencies to visit the agency’s website to learn more about online options rather than visiting state agency offices. Please visit Oklahoma.gov for a directory of state agencies and links to their websites.
For birth certificates, please apply online at MyOklahoma.ok.gov or VitalChek.com
For existing SoonerCare members, please visit mySoonerCare.org to apply and manage benefits.
For more information, visit coronavirus.health.ok.gov.