Covid-19 in OKC (coronavirus)

[Bill Robertson]

Really good article on what is probably the final surge:

The Fourth Surge Is Upon Us. This Time, It’s Different.
A deadlier and more transmissible variant has taken root, but now we have the tools to stop it if we want.

Tufekci's basic argument is that we should move to vaccinate areas where there are surges to slow it down. Also, to hold on just a bit longer before opening things... we're almost there.

I agree that just a little more time being careful would get us through. But daily I read of states, cities, sports leagues, etc. that are saying "damn the torpedoes we're done with this thing". I hope that vaccinations will keep increasing at a rate that will knock this virus out.

[Pete]

390 new cases today; 7-day rolling average 318.

27 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average 20.9.

Hospitalizations are 211 (-15).

ICU is 60 (+2).

[dankrutka]

I know that deaths are a delayed indicator, but it's so sad to see so many deaths still. If you know vaccine hesitant folks, please listen to them and provide accurate information, especially with the UK variant being more harmful and deadly even for young people. It's so sad knowing that people will die when they could have been vaccinated and lived.

[C_M_25]

Ugh, our progress may be stymied here soon. All 5 of the new variants: UK, South Africa, Brazil, and 2 California variants are now in Oklahoma per fox 25. How in the hell the Brazil variant made it here is beyond me. We really need to shut down travel to these countries for a bit longer.

[FighttheGoodFight]

Ugh, our progress may be stymied here soon. All 5 of the new variants: UK, South Africa, Brazil, and 2 California variants are now in Oklahoma per fox 25. How in the hell the Brazil variant made it here is beyond me. We really need to shut down travel to these countries for a bit longer.

I’m willing to bet all those were in the US before they even found out about them.

Vaccines are still good against them. Mask up and get a poke.

[dankrutka]

Ugh, our progress may be stymied here soon. All 5 of the new variants: UK, South Africa, Brazil, and 2 California variants are now in Oklahoma per fox 25. How in the hell the Brazil variant made it here is beyond me. We really need to shut down travel to these countries for a bit longer.

The best medicine is vaccines, but specifically we can target communities where there’s an outbreak with vaccines: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/a...accine/618463/

[Bill Robertson]

I’m willing to bet all those were in the US before they even found out about them.

Vaccines are still good against them. Mask up and get a poke.

If the variants are here and our daily new cases are still getting better I'm going to remain happy and optimistic. I'm done expecting the worst. I'll accept bad when it happens but not dwell on the possibility until it happens.

[Pete]

413 new cases today; 7-day rolling average 325.

25 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average 18.6.

Hospitalizations are 197 (-14).

ICU is 54 (-4).

[OKCbyTRANSFER]

My office informed us today about the coming back to work plan. In two weeks, everyone is required to come into the office 1 day. Two weeks after that, 2 days are required. Some people were not happy. While the teleworking is doable, we are really struggling with the team effort, where the Zoom meetings just are not cutting it. Doesn't matter any to me, I've been at work the whole time. I'll be glad to have some others physically there to help with the workload.

[Pete]

372 new cases today; 7-day rolling average 311.

34 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average 21.4.

Hospitalizations are 199 (+2).

ICU is 52 (-4).

[Canoe]

The best medicine is vaccines, but specifically we can target communities where there’s an outbreak with vaccines: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/a...accine/618463/

Where and who are these populations in oklahoma? Is it the rural population?

[Bill Robertson]

In '18 and '19 I wasn't able to keep up with the planters in the front yard. Last year I was overly concerned with COVID and just didn't give a damn. The last two weekends I've pretty much got everything back up to snuff. Yesterday was pretty windy and everything is turning green and lots of tree varieties are blooming. Last night and this morning I was stopped up, had a headache and a bit of a dry/wheezing throat. It was really great to not have COVID as my first thought and be sure it was just allergies and a couple Benadryl knocked it, and me, out!

[Pete]

873 new cases (this is for 3 days); 7-day rolling average 310.

29 additional reported deaths (also for 3 days); 7-day rolling average 18.0.

[dankrutka]

it's great to see the numbers go down, but these high number of deaths (i know they lag) are really jarring. Also, we still have a high number of cases. Over 300 cases a day is nothing to sneeze at... it means COVID is still spreading widely in our communities.

[Bill Robertson]

it's great to see the numbers go down, but these high number of deaths (i know they lag) are really jarring. Also, we still have a high number of cases. Over 300 cases a day is nothing to sneeze at... it means COVID is still spreading widely in our communities.

I want to see this thing completely gone as much as anyone. But these are the numbers from Jan 9th copied from Pete's post:
4,289 new cases today; 7-day rolling average 3,403.
35 additional deaths; 7-day rolling average 30.1
Today's numbers divided by 3
291 new cases, 7-day rolling average 310
10 additional deaths; 7-day rolling average 18.0

Not anywhere near perfect but I'll take these over January's any time.
We're also 15 days past the last Sunday of spring break. Right in the window of an expected spring break induced spike. And it so far isn't showing up. I look at this as good news so far. I just hope it doesn't show up at all.

[Pete]

Only 120 new cases today; 7-day rolling average 310.

5 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average 17.1.

Hospitalizations are 225 (+26).

ICU is unchanged at 56.

[DowntownMan]

Only 120 new cases today; 7-day rolling average 310.

5 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average 17.1.

Hospitalizations are 225 (+26).

ICU is unchanged at 56.

Big spike at hospitals for us to not have had many cases lately!

[FighttheGoodFight]

They said we are going to see very high numbers tomorrow as they switch to the new system. I guess one place hasn’t reported cases in a long time. Something like 1300 coming in tomorrow from as far back as last year.

[Bill Robertson]

So trend lines will be all screwed up yet again.

[king183]

Big spike at hospitals for us to not have had many cases lately!

Rule of thumb with these data: if you see something that appears unexpected, it's usually due to a data issue or anomaly rather than a true expression of an event. That's why it's important to keep an eye on the 7 or 14 day trend line.

[C_M_25]

Just read an interesting article posted on fox 25. Apparently, researchers have been testing waste water for signs of covid. In many areas across the world, a rise in covid in waste predates major spikes in covid cases by about a week. The researchers have noticed that covid levels have increased 10 fold in the past week or so which could be hinting at another surge on its way. It’s going to be interesting to see if this comes to fruition.

[gopokes88]

Just read an interesting article posted on fox 25. Apparently, researchers have been testing waste water for signs of covid. In many areas across the world, a rise in covid in waste predates major spikes in covid cases by about a week. The researchers have noticed that covid levels have increased 10 fold in the past week or so which could be hinting at another surge on its way. It’s going to be interesting to see if this comes to fruition.

Heard about the waste water as a leading indicator. Curious to see if this plays out.

[C_M_25]

Heard about the waste water as a leading indicator. Curious to see if this plays out.

Me too. I’m also curious how the vaccines could affect this. I mean, we could be vaccinated, get a minor cold, and the cold is covid thus higher covid in the waste. I know when we’re vaccinated, our bodies are programmed to generate the spike protein which the body learns to fight off. I wonder if it’s possible that these waste water tests are picking up on remnants of the spike that our body has fought off as part of building immunity because of the vaccine? It will be interesting.

[Snowman]

One of the problem in the states that are surging is people being able to get vaccinated. They may open it to all but, I have friends that are well over 65 you and still cannot get a time to get vaccinated.

I wonder if some of that is related to quirks in the website to sign up, when I initially tried it looked like I was not going to be able to get an appointment anywhere, but with another click or two was able to look at future days and a lot of locations could book a spot the next day.

[Pete]

The simple truth is that if you aren't tech-savvy, knowledgeable about all the various sites that have appointment information, and aren't diligent about constantly checking all of them for availability, this is not an easy process.

And even if you do all those things, you still may have to drive a good distance.


If you are an active user on this site, this all seems second nature but there are a lot of people -- mainly poor and/or older -- who face significant barriers.


BTW, today is 2 weeks since my 2nd vax so I am as protected as I'll ever be. I plan to actually go out this weekend for the first time in a long time.