Oklahoma’s increases in confirmed COVID-19 cases have set records over the last few days – with 352 new confirmed cases reported Friday for a total of 9,706.

Friday’s report for Kingfisher County included four new cases, also a record one-day increase, from 13 to 17, with 12 reported recovered.

Hennessey appears to be the location of the new cases as well as those that are still active in the county.

A total of eight cases were reported there Friday, with three recovered.

Totals for other area cities/towns include: Kingfisher 6, with 6 recovered; Okarche 5, with four recovered (some are counted in Canadian County); Dover 1, and 1 recovered.

Although cases are not increasing right now in Kingfisher city limits, City Manager Dave Slezickey said the county uptick is a reminder that precautions are still necessary.

“As health officials indicate that recent increases are the result of community spread, it is important to practice social distancing, wear a mask, wash hands and sanitize contact areas,” he said.

“No one wants to go back to lockdown but a lot of us aren’t doing our part to prevent the spread.”

Fortunately, the number of patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 remains low, reported at 111 statewide on Friday.

Over the last few months, Oklahoma’s breakdown of confirmed cases by age has shifted, with the largest portion falling in the 18-35 age group (31.44%), followed by 36-49 (22.44%); 65 and over (19.75%); 50- 64 (19.49%); 5-17 (5.41%) and 0-4 (1.76%).

Although younger adults in the 18-34 year-old age bracket are now being diagnosed at the greatest frequency in Oklahoma, they are the least likely to be hospitalized or die from complications.

Average age of COVID-19 patients in the hospital is 63.9. Average age of patients not hospitalized is 42.4.

The overwhelming majority of state COVID-19 deaths occurred in the 65 and over age group and 198 of those who have died were residents of a long-term nursing facility, according to Oklahoma State Department of Health statistics.

When asked Friday whether Kingfisher County commissioners had a threshold in mind for the number of new county cases that would cause them to consider reinstating county emergency provisions, Commissioner Heath Dobrovolny responded:

“No, we haven’t discussed that ‘number’ but I’m sure we’ll start talking about it,” he said.

The Times & Free Press also reached out to Hennessey town officials for comment, but did not receive a response by press time Friday.