COVID-19 Update: As cases rise due to the Delta variant, FDA approves Pfizer vaccine

As of Wednesday morning, the Oklahoma Department of Health shows 33 confirmed active cases of COVID-19 in Kiowa County giving us a total of 910 cases and 28 deaths (up two from the last report in July). The breakdown of cases by town is: 177 in Snyder, four active, 163 recovered and 10 deaths (an increase of five since our last detailed list in March); 54 in Mt. Park, three active, 50 recovered and one death; 49 in Roosevelt, one active and 48 recovered; 391 in Hobart, 19 active, 360 recovered and 12 deaths (an increase of three since March); 131 in Mt. View, five active, 122 recovered and four death(an increase of three since March); 33 in Gotebo, one active, 31 recovered and one death (an increase of one since March); 57 in Lone Wolf, one active and 56 recovered. Elsewhere in our coverage area, Indiahoma shows 193 cases, one active, 190 recovered and two deaths; and Tillman County shows 873 cases - 516 in Frederick with 13 active, 491 recovered and 12 deaths; 22 in Manitou, all recovered; 135 in Tipton, two active, 129 recovered and four deaths; 137 in Grandfield, six active, 130 recovered and one death; 34 in Davidson, all recovered.

The Jackson County Memorial Hospital bed capacity report released Tuesday shows three of their ICU beds in use by COVID patients and 11 of their regular medical beds in use by COVID patients. They showed one ICU beds in use by non-COVID patients and 26 of their regular medical beds in use leaving no ICU beds or regular medical beds available. They were only using three of their eight ventilators at the time of report leaving five available.

Statewide there were 530,594 cases with 7,812 deaths and 499,290recovered. Oklahoma State Department of Health District 5 (Southwest Oklahoma) is showing a three day average for hospitalizations of 143, 25 of those in ICU. The statewide average is 1,476, with 390 of those being in ICU and 66 reported as pediatric hospitalizations.

Vaccine approved

On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.

FDA-approved vaccines undergo the agency’s standard process for reviewing the quality, safety and effectiveness of medical products. For all vaccines, the FDA evaluates data and information included in the manufacturer’s submission of a biologics license application (BLA). The agency conducts its own analyses of the information in the BLA to make sure the vaccine is safe and effective and meets the FDA’s standards for approval.

Comirnaty contains messenger RNA (mRNA), a kind of genetic material. The mRNA is used by the body to make a mimic of one of the proteins in the virus that causes COVID-19. The result of a person receiving this vaccine is that their immune system will ultimately react defensively to the virus that causes COVID-19. The mRNA in Comirnaty is only present in the body for a short time and is not incorporated into - nor does it alter - an individual’s genetic material. Comirnaty has the same formulation as the EUA vaccine and is administered as a series of two doses, three weeks apart.

Vaccines are available to anyone 12 years and older. Local health departments are offering appointments and walk-ins for vaccination normally from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in our area. For up to date information about local vaccine availability you can visit the Kiowa County Health Department Facebook page.

FREE COVID-19 TESTING is still available at the local county health department. Individuals are asked to contact your local health department before coming in for testing. Local health department contact information is: Kiowa County-Hobart (580) 726-3316 and Tillman County-Frederick (580) 335-2163.

You can also visit https://oklahoma.gov/covid19/testing-sites.html for a list of sites in Oklahoma. You can also ask your doctor about testing or find tests at national chains or local pharmacies. It is recommended to contact sites ahead of time for details such as test types available, on-site protocols, walk-in visits vs. appointments, or drive-up options.