2 Oklahoma Inmates Die; Possible Link to Virus

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Two more state prison inmates in Oklahoma have died, and the deaths could be linked to COVID-19, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Corrections.

One inmate was hospitalized after testing positive for the coronavirus, the department reported late Monday. The other was being treated for symptoms of COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus.

The department didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment.

The state medical examiner will determine the causes of deaths of these two men plus two more inmates who may have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

The state health department on Tuesday reported the total number of reported virus cases was 71,314, with 912 deaths. That’s an increase of 1,091 reported cases and seven additional deaths from Monday. The true number of cases in Oklahoma is likely higher though because many people haven’t been tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and a cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.