OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Oklahoma State Division of Well being officers are asking group members to have enjoyable with their family members this Fourth of July, however to additionally keep protected from COVID-19.
“We hope you’re taking this time to calm down with household and mates,” stated Dr. Lance Frye, Commissioner of Well being for the state of Oklahoma. “Nonetheless, we wish everybody to be cautious when gathering this weekend, particularly if in case you have not been vaccinated, as some areas throughout the state are seeing an uptick in latest case numbers. Some COVID-19 variants, significantly the Delta variant, are extra transmissible amongst individuals who haven’t obtained the vaccine and will probably trigger extreme sickness.”
OSDH officers suggest group members take the next precautions throughout Fourth of July celebrations and gatherings:
If you’re absolutely vaccinated:
- In response to CDC and OSDH steerage, you don’t have to put on a masks when gathering indoors or outdoor, except required by native legislation or enterprise steerage. Nonetheless, you should still select to put on a masks in case you are attending a crowded gathering or assembly with people who find themselves not vaccinated.
- It’s possible you’ll need to reap the benefits of the summer season climate and have a good time outdoor, significantly in case you are assembly up with anybody who isn’t vaccinated.
- When you plan to journey, you could be required to put on a masks on planes, buses or different public transportation.
If you’re not vaccinated:
- OSDH and the CDC suggest you put on a masks for those who plan to collect indoors with folks outdoors your family.
- It’s possible you’ll select to not put on a masks for those who plan to collect outdoor in a socially distanced setting.
- When you plan to journey, you could be required to put on a masks on planes, buses or different public transportation.
The security tips are important in mild of rising variants of COVID-19, together with the highly-contagious Delta variant, OSDH officers stated.
“Variants of any virus are to be anticipated,” stated Dr. Gitanjali Pai, Chief Medical Officer for the state of Oklahoma. “Nonetheless, this doesn’t imply they shouldn’t be taken critically. Instances of COVID-19 in individuals who have already had the vaccine, often called breakthrough circumstances, are much less more likely to happen however potential. If you’re vaccinated, it’s much less possible that you’ll have a extreme or life-threatening case of COVID-19 for those who do grow to be contaminated. The Delta variant poses a big danger to those that haven’t been vaccinated, although, as a result of it spreads extra simply than different strains and, like all strains, could cause extreme sickness in unvaccinated folks.”
OSDH officers offered the next well timed COVID-19 statistics:
- 737 complete breakthrough circumstances have occurred, representing fewer than 0.05% of absolutely vaccinated Oklahomans
- A complete of 54 circumstances of the Delta variant have been detected within the state by means of sequencing, and 778 complete circumstances of variants have been detected within the state by means of sequencing
- 53.2% of Oklahomans 12+ have obtained at the very least one dose of the vaccine, and 45.6% of Oklahomans 12+ are absolutely vaccinated
- 90% of latest hospitalizations on account of COVID-19 are sufferers who haven’t but obtained the vaccine.
Officers confused the significance of getting vaccinated.
“One of the simplest ways you possibly can shield your self towards extra transmissible variants just like the Delta variant is to get vaccinated,” stated Keith Reed, Deputy Commissioner with OSDH. “Proper now, the proof we’ve reveals that the FDA Emergency Use Licensed vaccines presently in use are largely efficient towards variants of COVID-19. When you’re unvaccinated, we ask that you just please take different precautions such because the three W’s — put on a masks, wash your palms and watch your distance.”
Go to oklahoma.gov/covid19 for sources on discovering a COVID-19 vaccine close to you.
Learn OSDH’s Weekly Epidemiology Report for extra info on variants, sequencing and vaccination information.
