According to the latest state epidemiology report, between August 22nd and August 28th, COVID cases rose in the state 33%. But test positivity has slumped from a recent high of around 25% to 18%.
Dr. David Kendrick, chair of medical informatics at University of Oklahoma, says the difference is because testing has increased significantly in the state.
“There’s three times as much testing happening now then was happening in July. Now we’re in a situation where we have known exposures coming in. And so people are getting tests to prove they aren’t positive.”
The biggest rise in cases has been in school-aged kids who are accounting for over 20% of new cases.
Kendrick said schools will have to change their approaches if they want different results.
“I think we’re really going to have to see first a change in policies in school systems to even begin to look at a change in infectious rates in schools.”
Yesterday, a temporary injunction was granted against SB 658 that prevents schools from requiring masks.