The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) released its forecast on how the COVID-19 pandemic could occur in the state through May 1.

“Over the past week, Oklahoma has significantly increased COVID-19 testing data due to expanded capacity at labs and more than 80 mobile testing locations across the state,” said Dr. Aaron Wendelboe, interim state epidemiologist. “This new data gave our team of epidemiologists stronger insight to forecast a COVID-19 model for the State of Oklahoma.

“At this point, we are estimating that Oklahoma will hit peak demand on hospitals, ICU beds, and other critical medical supplies around April 21.”

They predict that on April 21 there will be  436 new cases and 22 deaths at that date. The number of hospitalizations at the peak will be 131 with a total of 915 in the hospital. The peak number for patients in intensive care units is 458. The prediction for the cumulative number of cases by May 1 is 9,300 with 459 deaths statewide. Test results are updated daily at www.tulsa-health.org.