OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – We’re a little bit over a month away from most Oklahoma children heading again to high school with no masks, and with COVID-19 instances going up, well being leaders have huge fears.
“I do have actual considerations after we strategy the autumn and colleges reopen,” mentioned Dr. Dale Bratzler, OU’s Chief COVID Officer. “I feel we may see extra outbreaks.”
“We’re very involved that each one these youngsters are going to be again at school. Forty % could also be contaminated and never understand it and unfold it to the opposite youngsters,” mentioned Dr. Mary Clarke, Oklahoma State Medical Affiliation President.
On Wednesday, the state reported 1,082 new instances of COVID-19, and 705 extra on Thursday.
And new information from the State Division of Well being reveals 20 % of latest instances at present are amongst Oklahomans age 15 to 24.
Oklahoma well being leaders attribute the rise in instances to the variety of Oklahomans nonetheless unvaccinated, together with the extra infectious Delta variant.
“Our hospitals are beginning to refill, nowhere close to what we did again in January and February, however hospitalizations are going up,” Bratzler mentioned.
“This Delta variant is extra lethal than the unique,” Clarke mentioned.
The Oklahoma State Division of Well being despatched out ideas to assist forestall the unfold of COVID-19 in colleges, beginning with prioritizing masks, washing palms, preserving workspaces cleaned and get in touch with tracing.
As well as, leaders urge districts to advocate vaccinations for eligible college students and employees.
“Getting again in lecture rooms, having loads of children with no masks, no spacing of desks and no vaccinations shall be recipe for catastrophe,” Clarke mentioned.
The State Division of Schooling additionally suggests colleges develop plans to isolate and take away people who present signs.
