COVID spike may be due to gatherings, Commissioner says

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A spike in Oklahoma COVID-19 cases on Sunday might have been partially caused by people attending holiday gatherings despite repeated warnings to limit their contact with others.

The state Health Department on Sunday reported 6,487 new coronavirus cases more than 2,000 than were reported Saturday and 23 more COVID-19 deaths.

That pushed Oklahoma’s totals to more than 331,000 confirmed cases and 2,761 virus deaths since the start of the pandemic.

State Commissioner of Health Dr. Lance Frye said in a news release that part of the reason for the surge was a decrease in people getting tested and less consistent reporting of cases over the holidays, but gatherings likely also contributed.