The problem with the Chinese coronavirus within Oklahoma’s prison system may not be as bad as it is being presented, said State Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, chairman of the House Public Health Committee.

“Our state has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases, which is fueled by a high number of positive tests in our prison systems,” Roberts said in early September. 

According to the latest data Roberts has received from the Oklahoma Dept. of Corrections, 720 inmates are positive for COVID-19 after obtaining nasopharyngeal swab tests. Of those inmates, 89.6% are asymptomatic. Only 75 inmates, which makes up 10.4% of those who tested positive for COVID-19, in our state’s entire prison system, are experiencing any symptoms.

Thirteen of the COVID positive inmates, or 1.8%, are currently hospitalized, but many of them were taken to the hospital for an unrelated condition or procedure and happened to test positive when admitted.