Kingfisher County and its four neighboring counties saw a total increase of 501 active COVID-19 cases and 23 deaths in the first two weeks of 2021, according to Oklahoma State Department of Health online statistics.

Statewide, the rolling daily average of new cases was 3,488 for the first week of the year and 4,165 for the second week.

Statewide active cases increased 34,633 in the same two-week period and 391 new deaths were reported.

One new COVID-19 death was added to Kingfisher County’s data on Thursday and two more on Friday.

The death’s included two women and one man, all in the 65 and older age group.

Two of the deaths were reported in the Hennessey zip code region and one in Kingfisher.

A total of 15 county deaths have been attributed to the virus since the start of the pandemic, according to Friday’s statistics, including five in Hennessey zip code, four each in Okarche and Kingfisher zip codes and two in Dover.

In surrounding counties, new deaths reported since Dec. 31 include five in Canadian, seven in Garfield, seven in Logan and one in Blaine.

Total deaths reported in each of those counties since the start of the pandemic include 57 in Canadian, 50 in Garfield, 15 in Logan and four in Blaine.

The CDC and state health officials urge continued compliance with safety protocols such as social distancing and wearing masks in public to help curb the spread until the vaccine is widely available and utilized.