Over half of Kay County vaccinated, COVID-19 cases spiral down

by Jordan Green

Coronavirus case numbers continue to decrease across the state.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported Oct. 2 that the state’s coronavirus case numbers were down by 20% from the previous week. Oklahoma’s active coronavirus case counts have been trending downward for weeks, giving healthcare workers signs of hope and highlighting the need for the public to stay safe amid the ongoing pandemic, health officials say. On Sept. 27, officials reported that the state’s coronavirus case numbers were down by 41% from the Aug. 30 peak.

Hospitalizations were down by 28% from Aug. 25. Health officials continue to encourage vaccination to curb the virus’s spread. State officials report that 51.4% of all Kay County residents over the age of 12 have had at least one dose of the vaccine, and 43.4% are fully vaccinated, according to data released Oct. 6. More than 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. More than 1.9 million Oklahomans, about 48% of the state’s population, have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. More than 2.2 million Oklahomans have received at least one dose. The state health department reported Oct. 6 that the state has had 619,056 cases of the virus since the pandemic began, 12,988 of which are active.

Statewide, 9,213 people have died from the virus. Kay County has had 6,939 cases of the virus, 182 of which are active. Officials said 6,609 Kay County residents have recovered from the virus, and 148 have died from it.

Blackwell has had 910 cases, with 852 recoveries and 32 deaths.

Braman has had 41 cases, with 36 recoveries and one death. Kaw City has had 95 cases, with 90 recoveries and three deaths. Newkirk has had 576 cases, with 551 recoveries and eight deaths. Ponca City has had 5,028 cases, with 4,804 recoveries and 98 deaths. Tonkawa has had 492 cases, with 461 recoveries and 16 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 Oct. 8 that all six of its hospital beds were in use.

Two were occupied by patients with COVID-19. 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.