The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported on Thursday 2,915 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state's total to 164,340.
Tulsa County had 379 of Thursday's new cases. Its total now stands at 28,506, second to Oklahoma County's 33,309.
The state's seven-day average of new cases, which shows the trend in infections, rose from 2,727 to 2,807, a new high for the second day in a row. Oct. 5 was the last time the seven-day average was below 1,000.
Tulsa County's seven-day average of new cases remained at 394 for a second straight day. It hit a high of 405 on Monday after rising for 18 straight reporting days, climbing 253 since Oct. 29.
The state reported 18 deaths, with none in the past 24 hours. Three were in Tulsa County: a man 50 to 64 years old, and a man and a woman 65 or older. Statewide, three other men 50 to 64 years old and 12 adults 65 or older were also reported dead. Since March 18, COVID-19 has officially killed 1,588 Oklahomans, 246 of them Tulsa County residents.
There were 1,381 Oklahomans hospitalized for COVID-19 on Wednesday evening, 53 fewer than Tuesday's record of 1,434. Of those hospitalized Wednesday, 1,308 had positive coronavirus tests. Overall, 389 Oklahomans hospitalized for COVID-19 were in intensive care units, 58 fewer than Tuesday's record of 447.
According to the state health department, Tulsa County had 351 residents hospitalized as of Wednesday evening, three more than on Tuesday and another new record.
Over the course of the pandemic, 10,836 Oklahomans have been hospitalized for COVID-19.
As of Wednesday, the state reported 6% of its adult ICU beds and 12% of its medical surgery beds were available. Five of Oklahoma's eight hospital regions, including Oklahoma County, are at tier three of a four-tier hospital surge plan, meaning 20% to 40% of patients have tested positive for COVID-19 for at least three consecutive days. Tulsa County is at tier two, with 15% to 20% of patients testing positive.
The state health department reported 1,975 additional patients as recovered on Wednesday, bringing the total to 130,032. Patients are considered to have recovered if they did not die, are not currently hospitalized and it has been at least 14 days since their symptoms began. Symptoms have been reported to linger for several weeks for some individuals.
The state health department reported 2,236 additional patients as recovered on Thursday, bringing the total to 132,268. Patients are considered to have recovered if they did not die, are not currently hospitalized and it has been at least 14 days since their symptoms began. Symptoms have been reported to linger for several weeks for some individuals.
The state has 30,484 active cases of COVID-19, 661 more than the day before. It's the first time more than 30,000 Oklahomans are considered to have active cases, and it set a new record for the second straight day and the third time this week.
Tulsa County reported 281 additional patients as recovered, bringing the total to 23,668. The county has 4,592 active cases, 95 more than the day before and a new record for the second straight day and the third time this week.
The state's reported overall positive test rate remained at 9% on Wednesday. Out of 21,726 tests reported on Wednesday, 9.7% were positive. Each positive test does not necessarily represent a unique individual.
The state also reports its cumulative positive test rate, a metric used by Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. It is calculated by dividing the number of cases by the number of negative tests plus the number of cases. As of Wednesday, that rate was 8.6%, up 0.1 percentage points from Tuesday.
Johns Hopkins uses the different rate to compare states that may track testing differently. It notes the ideal way to calculate the positivity rate is dividing the number of people who test positive by the number of people who are tested, which is how Oklahoma's overall rate is calculated.
The World Health Organization's benchmark indicating adequate testing is a 5% positive test rate.
