Of course it's not permanent. We are in the throes of very high COVID spread right now. When numbers decline all these policies will disappear too.

Maybe. We used to think that all the airport security was overkill and now it is just an expected part of life in order to be safe. And Covid has killed way more Americans than terrorists have (domestic AND foreign terrorists). TODAY'S deaths will be the equivalent of 5 or 6 airliners crashing and killing everyone.

2,244 new cases reported today. Last several Wednesdays: 1,966; 1,310; 2,538; 2,534; 2,360; 2,105; 2,160.

7-day average now 1,550.

Hospitalizations are 1,235 (-92).

ICU is 363 (-23).

COVID-19: Death rate still a concern as case counts dip; nearly 1 in 400 Oklahomans have died due to virus (https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-and-regional/covid-19-death-rate-still-a-concern-as-case-counts-dip-nearly-1-in-400/article_707dc08e-1bc3-11ec-bb54-8fb10a6e54d0.html)

"The high death rate ranks Oklahoma No. 7 in the U.S., and Dr. Dale Bratzler of OU Health said Wednesday the number of ICU patients currently hospitalized means fatalities are going to keep rising.

"When you're at 10,000 deaths in Oklahoma, that means that 1 in every 400 Oklahomans have died of COVID-19," he said, higher than the national average of 1 in 500. "So it's fairly profound to think about. …

"It's a substantial death toll that I don't think any of us ever expected we would see.""

Santa Fe South was the first district to implement a mask mandate in Oklahoma this fall. Here’s how it’s going (https://stateimpact.npr.org/oklahoma/2021/09/23/santa-fe-south-was-the-first-district-to-implement-a-mask-mandate-in-oklahoma-this-fall-heres-how-its-going/)

2,361 new cases today. Last several Thursdays: 2,263; 2,452; 3,274; 4,152; 2,502; 2,468, 2,342.

7-day average now 1,584.

Hospitalizations are 1,205 (-30).

ICU is 353 (-10).

Basically confirming what we know. Emphasis mine.

Evidence shows that, yes, masks prevent COVID-19 – and surgical masks are the way to go (https://theconversation.com/evidence-shows-that-yes-masks-prevent-covid-19-and-surgical-masks-are-the-way-to-go-167963)

"Before this study there was a lack of gold-standard evidence on the effectiveness of masks to reduce COVID-19 in daily life. Our study provides strong real-world evidence that surgical masks reduce COVID-19, particularly for older adults who face higher rates of death and disability if they get infected.

Policymakers and public health officials now have evidence from laboratories, models, observations and real-world trials that support mask-wearing to reduce respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Given that COVID-19 can so easily spread from person to person, if more people wear masks the benefits increase.

So next time you are wondering if you should wear a mask, the answer is yes. Cloth masks are likely better than nothing, but high-quality surgical masks or masks with even higher filtration efficiency and better fit – such as KF94s, KN95s and N95s – are the most effective at preventing COVID-19."

1,230 new cases today. Last several Fridays: 2,124; 2,627; 3,080; 3,338; 2,851; 2,814; 2,302.

7- day average now 1,760.

Hospitalizations are 1,172 (-33). That is down from 1,607 on 8/26.

ICU is 347 (-6). That is down from 448 on 9/2.

Week over week:

-2,445 new cases. 7-day average -349.

277 additional reported deaths. Last several weeks: 252, 204, 218, 117, 106, 80, 40. 277 is the most deaths reported in any week since the pandemic started, and now more than 10,000 Oklahomans have died.

Hospitalizations are -209.

ICU is -39.

An anecdote from today. Got to visit with an OKCPS principal after interviewing a couple of younger clients of mine at school. Complimented her on the masking policy and telling them that 99% of parents are behind them and that the folks showing up to complain are a small minority. They were fully expecting to have about 20% opt out. In their entire school, I won't reveal the actual number to protect the identity of the principal/school, but let's say the % of mask opt outers are less than 1%. And they haven't had too many cases, and what cases they have had, the children were not exposed at school. Way to go OKCPS.

5,346 new cases for the 3-day period. Last several Mondays: 5,998; 7,380; 7,827; 6,218; 6,967.

7-day average now 1,597.

Hospitalizations are 1,181 (+9).

ICU is 357 (+10).

An anecdote from today. Got to visit with an OKCPS principal after interviewing a couple of younger clients of mine at school. Complimented her on the masking policy and telling them that 99% of parents are behind them and that the folks showing up to complain are a small minority. They were fully expecting to have about 20% opt out. In their entire school, I won't reveal the actual number to protect the identity of the principal/school, but let's say the % of mask opt outers are less than 1%. And they haven't had too many cases, and what cases they have had, the children were not exposed at school. Way to go OKCPS.

For a bit there, we were getting "Covid positive student and/or staff" e-mails daily. but now I don't remember when the last one went out. At least a week, maybe closer to two weeks.

Got my booster shot yesterday at CVS. I was originally phase 3. I was just testing the system to see if I could actually get through. I clicked the option that I was in a high risk profession (which could easily be debated) but it let me schedule. If there wasn't almost a 50 open slots I wouldn't have tried it.

Got to CVS and they only asked for my card. No questions asked. In and out in 15 min. So If you are eligible, regardless of what phase you were originally, go through CVS to get it. Tons of spots open today at 33rd and Santa Fe in Edmond

Booster Shot Scheduler Link - https://www.cvs.com/vaccine/intake/store/covid-screener/covid-qns

^
At least so far getting a booster doesn't seem like it's going to be like the first round. Both the big Walmart and Neighborhood Walmart by us are doing them walk-in.

648 new cases reported today. Last several Tuesdays: 484; 1,029; 1,719; 1,794; 862.

7-day average continues to go down at 1,369.

Hospitalizations are 1,040 (-141).

ICU is 324 (-33).

1,500 new cases reported today. Last several Wednesdays: 2,244; 1,966; 1,310; 2,538; 2,534; 2,360.

7-day average now 1,246.

Hospitalizations are 1,045 (+5).

ICU is 323 (-1).

Edmond schools will end required Student Quarantine. next Monday.


On Monday, October 4, EPS will move from quarantines required to quarantine notification. Wednesday, September 29 is day 10 of quarantines remaining below .5%, but transitions work best when they happen at a natural break or over a weekend. Therefore, the district has set Monday, October 4 for this change in procedure to go into effect.

Quarantines have been effective in stopping the spread of the Covid virus in our schools. So, why is the district no longer requiring quarantines for someone exposed to a Covid positive individual? We have reached a threshold where the school will no longer be acting on behalf of the OCCHD to require quarantines. This responsibility will shift back to the OCCHD and to parents. Parents will still be notified when their child has been in close contact with a positive case of COVID and then will have the responsibility whether to quarantine their child or not.

The maks threshold is set at .1% for 10 or more days. So far, EPS has not reached that threshold, but the district will continue to monitor the data and will take a deeper look at fall break as promised in the original communication concerning masks.

https://edmondschools.net/news/2021/required-quarantines-to-end-on-monday-october-4/

Got my booster shot yesterday at CVS. I was originally phase 3. I was just testing the system to see if I could actually get through. I clicked the option that I was in a high risk profession (which could easily be debated) but it let me schedule. If there wasn't almost a 50 open slots I wouldn't have tried it.

Got to CVS and they only asked for my card. No questions asked. In and out in 15 min. So If you are eligible, regardless of what phase you were originally, go through CVS to get it. Tons of spots open today at 33rd and Santa Fe in Edmond

Booster Shot Scheduler Link - https://www.cvs.com/vaccine/intake/store/covid-screener/covid-qns

Thank you for this.

I started to sign up online but saw every day and every time was available, so today when in the Target at 50th & May (pharmacy is now run by CVS) I saw a sign that said flu and Covid booster shots were available on a walk-in basis.

I had my vaccination card with me and they processed me straight away and I got the Moderna booster. That was about 7 hours ago and thus far only a sore arm. We'll see tomorrow if I get the same mild aches and tiredness I experienced with the first two shots.


BTW, Faucci said there was no harm in getting the annual flu shot at the same time, just recommended not in the same arm as the Covid booster.

^^^
I didn’t realize you could get a booster for Moderna yet… or did you just get Moderna as the booster for Pfizer?

^^^
I didn’t realize you could get a booster for Moderna yet… or did you just get Moderna as the booster for Pfizer?

Same. I have pre-existing conditions and work in a high-risk job so I would like to get a booster as well. I was under the impression that Pfizer was the only one doing boosters. Looking forward to your clarifications Pete, as I would like to get this ASAP and I am vaccinated with Moderna.

This was published a day ago. Not approved yet for Moderna.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-29/fda-leans-toward-authorizing-moderna-booster-at-a-half-dose?utm_source=url_link

I don't think the pharmacists at CVS really care. They are vaccinating anyone that wants the booster.... I got mine yesterday and the only thing they asked to see was my Vax Card and they didn't have me wait around after the shot.... Just sent me on my way.... Then later I got an email detailing the shot for my records and it said they made the injection in my left arm but it was in my right.

As far as side effects.... it's a little over 24 hours later and I had a little tenderness at the injection site..... If I had any other side effects I slept through them last night.

^^^
I didn’t realize you could get a booster for Moderna yet… or did you just get Moderna as the booster for Pfizer?

County Health was giving Moderna boosters at Pride this past weekend. I thought the same (?!) But I was with people that received it (I'm a little shy of the 6 month recommendation).

It might be a 3rd shot from Moderna, but there’s no Moderna booster yet. They’ve applied, but nothing has been approved.

^^^
I didn’t realize you could get a booster for Moderna yet… or did you just get Moderna as the booster for Pfizer?

It was for Moderna.

No side effects last night other than a sore arm.

Hasn't Canada done some studies about mixing Moderna/Pfizer shot for increased efficacy? I received Pfizer, but I'm considering getting a Moderna booster in a couple months.

It might be a 3rd shot from Moderna, but there’s no Moderna booster yet. They’ve applied, but nothing has been approved.
From researching news on the Phizer shot. It's a third shot. No different than the first 2.

I spoke too soon about no real side effects from the third Moderna shot.

Pretty achy now, not unlike the other doses.

1,880 new cases reported today. Last several Thursdays: 2,361; 2,263; 2,452; 3,274; 4,152; 2,502.

7-day average now 1,339.

Hospitalizations are 1,065 (+20).

ICU is 326 (+3).

I still have a slightly sore arm but it was pretty significant for a few days following my shot. A muscle in my armpit hurts but I don't know if that's related. Regardless no headaches or fatigue for me so I consider myself pretty lucky.

I think nearby nerves heighten their sensitivity to pain to help the body determine what is "injured" when a foreign object or infection is found. Was probably already sore from something else, but was below your pain threshold until the body increased its sensitivity for that area. I found that my elbow was aching more after getting my second shot, but that ache went away just as the main symptoms were going away.

I still have a slightly sore arm but it was pretty significant for a few days following my shot. A muscle in my armpit hurts but I don't know if that's related. Regardless no headaches or fatigue for me so I consider myself pretty lucky.

Could be an inflamed lymph node related to localized reaction.

It was for Moderna.

I'm not trying to pry if you don't want to share, but can you clarify what vaccine you got for your first shots? Did you get two Pfizer shots and then get Moderna as a booster shot? My apologize if I'm just not understanding.

^

All of my shots have been Moderna.

I got a flu shot yesterday and have a little underarm pain/tenderness; don't think it's anything specific to the covid vaccine (not saying anyone was saying that - just providing some anecdotal information).

Seconding the availability of boosters. My spouse is a teacher in the "high-exposure risk" category and we booked an appointment the night before at CVS and nearly every slot was completely open. I just hit the 6-month mark and don't fit into any of the booster categories so for now will be waiting, but for anyone who qualifies: go get your booster! So far they're pretty achy and foggy, but it is bearable and less than round 2 last time.

^

All of my shots have been Moderna.

Okay, that's why I was asking. I didn't think Moderna had been approved for boosters. I thought it was just Pfizer.

Okay, that's why I was asking. I didn't think Moderna had been approved for boosters. I thought it was just Pfizer.

You are correct. The federal government has not approved it yet, irrespective of the vendors.

We got our flu shots last weekend at Walmart. They asked if we wanted the booster. My wife didn't have her card and I had Moderna. The pharmacist told us to stop back by whenever we wanted. So there must be lots of places that aren't concerned with Moderna not being approved yet.

The CVS pharmacist at Target told me they've been giving Moderna boosters since August.

1,452 new cases reported today. Last several Fridays: 1,230; 2,124; 2,627; 3,080; 3,338; 2,851; 2,814.

7-day average now 1,547.

Hospitalizations are 1,077 (+12).

ICU is 332 (+6).

Week-over-week numbers:

**********

10,826 new cases this week compared to 12,317. Last several weeks: 14,762, 16,462; 18,438; 18,036; 15,542; 14,851.

Deaths were 307 this week compared to 584. Last several weeks: 252, 204, 218; 117, 106, 80.

Hospitalization was 1,077 vs. 1,172 (-95).

ICU was 332 vs. 347 (-15).

3,839 new cases for the 3-day period. Last several Mondays: 5,346; 5,998; 7,380; 7,827; 6,218; 6,967.

7-day average now 1,331.

Hospitalizations are 967 (-110).

ICU is 295 (-37).

Awesome to see hospitalizations under the 1,000 mark.

682 new cases today. Last several Tuesdays: 648; 484; 1,029; 1,310; 1,179; 1,794; 862.

7-day average now 1,122; about half of what it was as recently as 9/18.

Hospitalizations are 885 (-82). Had been as high as 1,602 on 8/29.

ICU is 288 (-7). Had been as high as 448 on 9/2.

1,096 new cases today. Last several Wednesdays: 1,500; 2,244; 1,966; 1,310; 1,719; 1,794; 2,360.

7-day average now 1,010.

Hospitalizations are 898 (+13).

ICU is 284 (-4).

1,501 new cases today. Last several Thursdays: 1,880; 2,361; 2,263; 2,452; 3,274; 4,152; 2,502.

7-day average now 1,017.

Hospitalizations are 833 (-65).

ICU is 261 (-23).

445 new cases today. Last several Fridays: 1,452; 1,230; 2,124; 2,627; 3,080; 3,338; 2,851.

7-day average 1,080.

Hospitalizations are 881 (+48).

ICU is 268 (+7).

n/m

Looks like today's report is pretty low due to a reporting issue, (https://twitter.com/KOCODillon/status/1446534133367382017) so cases reported on Monday will probably be anomalously higher as a result

4,919 new cases for the 3-day period. Last several Mondays: 3,839; 5,346; 5,998; 7,380.

7-day average 1,235.

Hospitalizations are 861 (-20).

ICU is 261 (-7).

I wonder how many of Saturdays cases were from Friday's glitch?

I've been going to the Crest on Czech Hall early on Monday mornings and for the last couple of months there would always be a line forming for Covid tests at the entrance. Generally anywhere between 15-30 cars when I would be pulling back out shortly before 8 AM.

This morning as I was leaving the parking lot I noticed there was not a single car waiting at this location when I left..... Hoping that's a good sign for this spike trending on down.

Now with that said..... I know of at least two people that were diagnosed with Covid a week ago that still attended the OU/UT game Saturday and I guarantee you they weren't wearing masks..... So don't be letting your guard down yet..... Still people out there that don't mind sharing their virus with you.

I wonder how many of Saturdays cases were from Friday's glitch?

Is it possible to get a quick average over the past couple of weeks in a window from Friday-Monday to help compensate for that bad data on Friday. Just curious how we’re stack up here.

Is it possible to get a quick average over the past couple of weeks in a window from Friday-Monday to help compensate for that bad data on Friday. Just curious how we’re stack up here.I could if I saved each days email links but I don't. Maybe someone does?

595 new cases reported today. Last several Tuesdays: 682; 648; 484; 1,029; 1,719; 1,794.

7-day average 1,222.

Hospitalizations are 712 (-149).

ICU is 255 (-36).

1,218 new cases reported today. Last several Wednesdays: 1,096; 1,500; 2,244; 1,966; 1,310.

7-day average now 1,025.

Hospitalizations are 788 (+76); was -149 yesterday so something weird is going on.

ICU is 249 (+24) after -36 yesterday.

1,181 new cases reported today. Last several Thursdays: 1,501; 1,880; 2,361; 2,263; 2,452; 3,274; 4,152.

7-day average now 1,130.

Hospitalizations are 775 (-13).

ICU is 241 (-8).

COVID-19: Despite reaching weekly case plateau, Oklahoma exceeds U.S. new daily infection rate (https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/covid-19-despite-reaching-weekly-case-plateau-oklahoma-exceeds-u-s-new-daily-infection-rate/article_b5d603fa-2c3d-11ec-bde7-174f78179622.html)

"While Oklahoma may no longer remain in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s red zone for severe levels of viral transmission as hospitalizations and deaths decline, the state is back above the U.S. rate for new infections."

This is a painfully slow drop in cases but at least they continue to decline.

We do exceed the national new case rate. But weren't we in the top (worst) five states for awhile? Now we're tied for 23rd in today's NYT chart. And we're 31 per 100k which isn't far from the 27 per 100k national number. Our 14 day average has dropped 22%, exactly the same percentage as the national 14 day average.