COVID-19: 825 more state cases, 3 more deaths reported Saturday | Local News
Three more Oklahomans have died with COVID-19, according to state health officials, with an additional 825 cases reported Saturday.
According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the state now has had 43,080 cases since March, with 35,745 considered recovered.
A total of 603 people have died from the disease in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma County has had the most cases of any county in the state with 10,424 and 112 deaths. Tulsa County was second with 10,389 cases and 107 deaths.
Cases considered recovered numbered 8,808 in Oklahoma County and 8,807 in Tulsa County, according to state health department data.
The percentage of cases by age group in Oklahoma:
Nationally, the number of cases is nearing 5 million, with 4,960,626 as of Saturday morning and 161,730 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Video: Aug. 4 update on COVID-19 from Dr. Bruce Dart
Interactive graphic: See number of active COVID-19 cases by county
COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues
How it spreads, who’s at risk
Studies have shown many infected people show no symptoms or have symptoms so mild they may go undetected; those people can still transmit COVID-19 to others while asymptomatic.
Data from China show that about 20% of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 require hospitalization.
The disease can be fatal, especially for vulnerable populations: those older than 65, living in a nursing home or long-term care facility, and anyone with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or obesity.
Science of virus spread
COVID-19 is spread mainly from person to person via respiratory droplets produced by an infected person. Spread is most likely when people are in close contact, within about 6 feet. A person might also be infected with COVID-19 after touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their face. According to the CDC, evidence suggests the novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces.
List of symptoms
The CDC recently expanded its list of possible symptoms of COVID-19. The symptoms can appear from two days to two weeks after exposure.
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms and will continue to be updated by the CDC. One symptom not included is “purple toes,” which someone may experience with no other symptoms, sometimes several weeks after the acute phase of an infection is over. The coloration and pain is caused by a lack of blood flow to the toes caused by excessive blood clotting, a late-stage concern with COVID-19 infections.
Kinds of testing
Those getting tested may experience different kinds of swabs. The viral test, known as PCR, involves a deep nasal swab that can be painful.
Other tests that require less-invasive swabs may produce results faster, but with less accuracy. These should not be used diagnostically.
It is not yet known whether COVID-19 antibodies can protect someone being infected again or how long protection might last.
Antigen, antibody or PCR test?
The gold standard for COVID-19 testing is called polymerase chain reaction, or PCR for short. These find the virus’s genetic code and are highly sensitive and accurate but can take days for results.
Antigen tests seek out proteins made by the specific coronavirus and can produce results within 15 minutes for about $35 a test. The cheaper antigen tests are not supposed to be treated as presumptive, the Department of Health and Human Services has said after the federal government invested $24 million for the BD Veritor Plus system to meet rapid-testing needs nationwide.
The results of rapid antigen tests may result in up to 15% false negatives, and the government has reportedly said they should not be “the sole basis for treatment or patient management decisions, including infection control decisions.”
Federal agencies and antigen-test manufacturers recommend confirming negative results of antigen testing with PCR.
Antibody tests look for evidence of a previous infection by seeking out proof in your immune system. They do not indicate a present infection and are not considered a diagnostic tool.
The ‘serious seven’
The “serious seven” refer to close contact environments where residents should take extra precautions if they choose to attend. The seven are gyms, weddings, house gatherings, bars, funerals, faith-based activities and other small events, according to Tulsa Health Department Director Bruce Dart.
Treatments being investigated
The FDA has allowed for antiviral drug remdesivir, previously tested on humans with Ebola, to treat more severe cases of COVID-19 in adults and children. Safety and effectiveness aside, preliminary studies have shown it can shorten recovery time for some patients.
After previously approving an emergency use authorization, the FDA as of July 1 cautions against use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for COVID-19 outside of the hospital setting or a clinical trial. A review of safety issues includes reports of serious heart rhythm problems and other safety issues, including blood and lymph system disorders, kidney injuries, and liver problems and failure.
Convalescent serum therapy
Some patients are receiving convalescent serum, meaning the antibodies made by people who have recovered after a COVID-19 infection. Antibody-rich blood plasma is being given to severely or critically ill COVID-19 patients, including Ascension St. John, Saint Francis Health System, OSU Center for Health Sciences and Hillcrest HealthCare System in Tulsa.
From June to July, requests for convalescent plasma from the Oklahoma Blood Institute multiplied seven-fold.
Recovery, as defined by CDC
To be considered recovered (without a test), these three things must happen, the CDC advises:
- No fever for at least 72 hours (three full days of normal temperature without the use of medicine)
- Other symptoms improved (no more cough, etc.)
- At least seven days since symptoms first appeared
