OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma State Department of Health on Monday reported two new deaths due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, pushing the total death toll to 197.
There are now at least 3,280 coronavirus cases, up from 3,253 cases reported Sunday, according to the department.
The actual number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested and studies suggest that people can be infected without feeling sick. Most people recover from the illness.
Gov. Kevin Stitt has cited declines in the number of new cases and reduced hospitalizations as reasons for allowing personal care businesses, such as barber shops and hair salons, to reopen under social distancing and health safety guidelines.
If the numbers continue to decline, places such as restaurants and churches would be allowed to reopen Friday under those guidelines, Stitt said.
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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Check out more of the AP’s coronavirus coverage at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
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