Oklahoma's statewide intensive care unit capacity hit its lowest point in the pandemic last week.
According to a state report released Friday night, hospitals were reporting just 33 available beds statewide, 3% of the state's ICU capacity.
The state also reported very high levels of new infections over the weekend, prompting a statement from interim state health commissioner Col. Lance Frye to address the "sustained high case count." Since Friday, the state has reported 12,438 new confirmed infections.
"These numbers are an accurate reflection of the continued community spread that is occurring across Oklahoma," Frye said Saturday. "Though we anticipated a rise in cases following the Thanksgiving holiday, this significant jump in our infection rate is alarming. I continue to implore Oklahomans to stay vigilant in our efforts."
Members of several Oklahoma nursing groups said at a meeting with Frye and other state officials last week, they did not get a commitment that the state would implement a statewide mask mandate, a measure supported by leading experts, public health officials and the White House coronavirus task force.
