County vaccine rates on the rise: what percentage got the jab?

by Jordan Green

Almost half of all eligible Kay County residents have had at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and more than 40% of the county’s eligible population is fully vaccinated, state officials said. State officials report that 49.8% of all Kay County residents over the age of 12 have had at least one dose of the vaccine, and 41% are fully vaccinated, according to data from the Oklahoma State Department of Health released Sept. 15.

Nearly 70% of all Kay County residents 65 years old and older are fully vaccinated. Vaccines aren’t yet approved for people under the age of 12 except in rare circumstances. The news comes as the number of active coronavirus cases in the state decreased for the first time in weeks.

As of Sept. 15, the number of active cases statewide was 23,533, down 3,799 from the week prior.

The state health department reports that the state has had 584,692 cases of the virus. Statewide, 8,440 people have died from the virus. Data from the Oklahoma State Department of Health on Monday showed that Kay County had 6,529 cases of the virus, 246 of which are active. Officials said 6,142 Kay County residents have recovered from the virus, and 141 have died from it. State officials report that there have been 4,737 cases of the virus in Ponca City since the pandemic began.

Ninety-three people there have died, and 4,453 have recovered. Blackwell has had 864 cases, with 811 recoveries and 31 deaths. Newkirk has had 541 cases, with 519 recoveries and seven deaths. Braman has had 34 cases, with 31 recoveries and one death. Tonkawa has had 460 cases, with 426 recoveries and 16 deaths.

Kaw City has had 84 cases, with 75 recoveries and three 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. Stillwater Medical Center – Blackwell reported Friday that three of its six hospital beds were in use.

One was occupied by a patient with COVID-19. More than 1.8 million Oklahomans have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The state health department said Monday that more than 2.1 million Oklahomans have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Vaccinations are available for free at some pharmacies and stores across the county, among other locations. For more information on vaccinations, visit https:// oklahoma.gov/covid19/ vaccine-information/vaccine-faqs.html.