TULSA, Okla. — The Oklahoma State Department of Health will change the way COVID-19 data is reported.
The OSDH online Sept. 4 situation update says, “On Tuesday, Sept. 8, we will begin a transition in our data collection and reporting system that includes combining ‘confirmed’ and ‘probable’ cases. This will advance OSHD’s mission to deliver public data that best represents the current, active presence of COVID-19 in Oklahoma.”
OSDH’s announcement received support from the Oklahoma State Medical Association.
The best medicine relies on the best data. As physicians, we are grateful to the Oklahoma State Department of Health for improving the quality and accuracy of their reporting through a system upgrade through their new partnership with Google.
Furthermore, we are pleased to hear that they will soon begin, including rapid antigen test results in their daily reports. As these tests become more widely-used throughout Oklahoma, the information they provide could help more quickly identify those who have been exposed to coronavirus. These results will be instrumental in helping slow the spread throughout densely-populated areas such as schools, colleges and nursing homes, where quick identification of the disease can save countless lives. In addition, antigen tests can give contact tracers a much-needed boost in their efforts to identify people who have been exposed to those with COVID-19 and notify others of potential risks.
Oklahoma State Medical Association President George Monks, M.D.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
- Sign up for daily newsletters emailed to you
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Twitter
