Oklahoma Inmate Dies during Treatment for COVID-19

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma state prison inmate being treated for the illness caused by the coronavirus has died, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections said.

The inmate at the Eddie Warrior Correctional Center in Taft died Saturday at a hospital, the department said Monday.

The woman, whose name wasn’t released, suffered other, undisclosed, health issues and the state medical examiner will determine whether COVID-19 was a factor in her death, the DOC said.

The department said it hasn’t gotten any reports from the medical examiner citing COVID-19 as the cause of a prisoner’s death.

State health officials Tuesday reported 65,053 total virus cases and 854 deaths. The actual number of cases is likely higher because many people haven’t been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.

Meanwhile, Saturday’s football game between Oklahoma State University and the University of Tulsa was postponed for one week. Tulsa’s athletic director said they weren’t physically prepared after canceling practice for nine days due to multiple positive coronavirus tests.

For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms 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 and be fatal.