No new COVID-19 deaths in Oklahoma, virus cases top 4,000

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma health officials reported no new COVID-19 deaths for the second straight day Monday as the number of people who have tested positive for the disease surpassed 4,000,

The official death toll linked to the coronavirus pandemic remained at least 238, the Oklahoma State Department of Health reported. However, department officials have previously said deaths from small, rural counties sometimes can take several days to report.

The department reported at least 4,044 coronavirus cases, up from more than 3,900 reported Sunday.

The number of infections of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirusis, is thought to be far higher because many people haven’t been tested and studies suggest people can have the disease without showing symptoms.

Gov. Kevin Stitt has begun loosening his “Safer at Home” order to allow barber shops, hair salons, gyms, restaurant dining rooms, bars with food service, stores and churches to reopen under social distancing and sanitation guidelines.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

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