White House Coronavirus Task Force report shows Oklahoma struggling to beat COVID-19

The numbers on test positivity rate and new cases per 100,000 both indicate the state has made little progress since July

TULSA — A new report from the federal government indicates that Oklahoma has become one of the leading hot spots for COVID-19 in the country.

For months, the White House Coronavirus Task Force has issued a weekly report for each state, detailing the latest statistics and recommendations regarding the pandemic.

The governor and state health department did not release those reports publicly until recently, and this week’s report seems to contradict statements made by Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday.

Pointing to a chart based on data from Johns Hopkins University, the governor said Oklahoma has a positivity rate of 9.2%, 14th in the country.

KRMG verified that’s what the JHU website indicates.

However, Wednesday’s report from the task force says “Oklahoma is in the orange zone of test positivity, indicating a rate between 8.0% and 10.0%, with the 3rd highest rate in the country.”

Positivity rate is a percentage of the total number of tests given which come back indicating the presence of the coronavirus.

The report goes on to say Oklahoma now stands sixth in the country for new cases per 100,000 population.

“Oklahoma had 175 new cases per 100,000 in the last week, compared to a national average of 86 per 100,000,” according to the summary.

It also notes that “Community testing volumes are slipping,” and recommends that Oklahoma “maintain community testing at July levels in order to effectively identify and rapidly intervene as transmission patterns continue to change.”

The report shows the national average for new cases per 100,000 population stands at 86.

The national average for test positivity is cited as 4.4% while Oklahoma’s was reported at 9.9%.

You can read the full report below, or on the Oklahoma Department of Health website.



Russell Mills

Russell Mills

Anchor/Reporter/Show Host

On Air103.3 The Eagle - Tulsa's ONLY Classic Rock Logo

mobile apps

Everything you love about 1033theeagle.com and more! Tap on any of the buttons below to download our app.

amazon alexa

Enable our Skill today to listen live at home on your Alexa Devices!