Rolling average of COVID deaths rises slightly in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The rolling average of deaths in Oklahoma due to the illness caused by the coronavirus has increased slightly. Data from Johns Hopkins University on Saturday shows the number of COVID-19 deaths in the state increased from 12.4 per day to 14.7 for the time period from March 18th through Thursday.

The data shows the rolling average of new cases per day declined from 446.4 to 311.1. Experts have been clear that the data is likely to lag behind present events, as it may take up to two weeks in some cases for an infected person to present symptoms, then further time until a person would end up in the hospital, and an additional interval between hospitalization and death. Deaths being reported in the present could be linked to cases that were first reported six or more weeks ago, so while the case numbers have recently been declining in the state, it may still take some time for the death rate to reflect those same trends.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health on Friday reported totals of 439,149 cases and 7,932 deaths since the pandemic began.

The department no longer provides daily case and death updates during the weekend.