Oklahoma death toll reaches 288 as virus outbreak continues

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Three more people have died in Oklahoma after contracting the coronavirus, bringing the state’s death toll to 288, state health officials reported on Saturday.

Another 151 Oklahomans have tested positive for the virus as the total number of cases reached 5,237, the State Department of Health reported.

The three new deaths were a man between 50 and 64 years of age from Oklahoma County; and two men who were in the 65 and older age group. One man was from Caddo County and the other was from Cleveland County.

Officials have said nearly 80 percent of people who have died of COVID-19 in Oklahoma were 65 years or older.

Oklahoma reopened bars on Friday and allowed weddings, funerals and organized sports to resume under the next phase of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s statewide reopening plan.

Stitt had previously said that data supports moving forward, including a continuing decline in hospitalizations for COVID-19 and a steady decline in the percentage of positive tests since the state started to reopen on April 24.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.