Kingfisher County’s current confirmed case count puts it in the low risk category in the new state COVID-19 alert system launched last week.

Adopted by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the system offers the public and local elected officials a clear method to recognize and communicate the current COVID-19 risk level in each county and to guide health behaviors.

The county reported 40 confirmed cases on Friday, with 14 still active.

Case numbers reported by local zip code included:

• Kingfisher: 15 (six active).

• Okarche: 13 (six active).

• Hennessey: 11 (two active).

• Cashion: five (one active).

• Dover: one (none active).

The four-tiered risk measurement tool with corresponding color categories identify the current COVID-19 risk level by county.

“This system marries OSDH’s robust data reporting with additional public health steps that should be considered county by county to confront elevated risks of community spread,” Interim Health Commissioner Dr. Lance Frye said.

“The color-coded system is an easy way for business owners, local leaders, and the public to know at a glance when to take extra precautions.”

Each color category is based on daily new cases per 100,000 population.

The color-coded county map will be updated every Friday as part of the agency’s 11 a.m. situation media advisory and will be based on a seven-day rolling average:

Green: Less than .43 daily new cases per 100,000 people.

Yellow: 43 to 14.39 daily new cases per 100,000.

Orange: More than 14.39 daily new cases per 100,000.

Red: More than 14.39 daily new cases per 100,000 when one of four state threshholds are met.

The thresholds include:

• Statewide ICU available beds are less than 5%.

• Statewide medical surgery available beds are less than 5%.

• Ventilators available statewide are less than 5%.

• Statewide average days of PPE available is less than five days.

The State will work with local officials in red counties on a remediation plan.

This status indicates statewide, systemic challenges and pressures on the healthcare system resulting from COVID-19.

Guidance for each risk category is available for individuals, businesses, high-risk individuals, and children on the COVID-19 dashboard at coronavirus.health.ok.gov.

Friday, July 10 Statistics

OSDH released the following numbers on Friday, with comparisons to counts from the previous day:

State total cases: 19,082 (up 596).

State recovered cases: 14,468 (up 548).

State deaths: 416 (up six).

Canadian County: 456 confirmed cases (up 26); 319 recovered (up 12); three total deaths.

Garfield County: 102 confirmed cases (up nine); 75 (up six); two deaths.

Logan County: 85 confirmed cases (up 10); 51 recovered (up one); one death.

Kingfisher County: 40 confirmed cases (up one); 26 recovered (no change).

Blaine County: 21 confirmed cases (up three); 17 recovered ( up one).

Based on the average of the last seven days, Blaine County is in the green (new normal) category.

However, that may change next if the gradual uptick of cases over the last few days in that county continues.

To date, 414,197 tests have been administered in the state, of which 391,982 have been negative.

As of Friday, 487 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized statewide, with 1,949 ever having been hospitalized.

For daily updates on statewide and area county and local numbers, visit the Kingfisher County Coronavirus Updates Facebook Group moderated by the Kingfisher Times & Free Press editorial staff.