Almost 60% of state vaccinated as COVID

Oklahoma has nearly 130,000 active cases of coronavirus statewide, state health officials reported Monday.

The state has 129,047 active cases, more than 7,000 of which were reported Monday, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Since the pandemic began, Oklahoma has had 914,063 coronavirus cases. Statewide, 13,063 people have died from the virus. State officials reported Jan. 10 that 2,136,086 Oklahomans, more than 57% of the state’s eligible population, were fully vaccinated. More than 724,000 Oklahomans have taken a booster dose as of Jan. 18. Keith Reed, the state’s interim commissioner of health, said vaccination is the “best way” to gain protection from the virus.

He also encourages people to wear masks in crowd ed public places and to get tested for the coronavirus if they feel sick.

Kay County has had nearly 10,000 coronavirus cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. Blackwell has had 1,261 cases, with 1,125 recoveries and 41 deaths. Braman has had 63 cases, seven of which are active. Kaw City has had 125 cases, all of which are recoveries. Newkirk has had 823 cases, with 757 recoveries and 10 deaths. Ponca City has had 7,237 cases, with 6,372 recoveries and 118 deaths. Tonkawa has had 709 cases, with 631 recoveries and 18 deaths.

The state health department does not provide data on coronavirus cases in some of the state’s smallest towns, including Nardin in Kay County. Vaccinations are available for free at some pharmacies and stores across the county, among other locations. For more information on vaccinations, or to schedule a vaccine appointment, visit https://oklahoma.gov/ covid19/vaccine-information/vaccine-faqs.html.