NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) – A second Norman nursing home resident has died after being hospitalized for COVID-19.
“We are saddened to report that we were notified late today that our second resident hospitalized with COVID-19 has passed away at Norman Regional Medical Center. Our hearts and prayers are with the family and with our team members also devastated by this news,” a message from a Grace Living Center official said.
The resident was described as a woman in her 90s.
The resident’s death on Wednesday comes a day after another Grace Living Center resident died after testing positive for COVID-19. That resident was in her 60s and had no prior health concerns.
The age of the resident who died Wednesday has not yet been revealed.
There are 164 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and five deaths from the virus in Oklahoma as of 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s coronavirus web page.
Gov. Kevin Stitt placed visitation restrictions on nursing homes weeks ago. He announced a “safer at home” order on Tuesday.
“It’s safer at home for our elderly population until April 30th. So that’s the direction all across the state,” Stitt said.
Stitt made the order for Oklahoma’s vulnerable and elderly, listing categories for those who fit into that description.
“It’s compromised immune system, it is an elderly population,” he said.
The World Health Organization declared coronavirus a global pandemic on Wednesday, March 11.
As a safety precaution, public and private establishments are closing or modifying their hours and policies to prevent coronavirus from spreading further.
The virus causes a respiratory infection, resulting in symptoms such as dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue and fever. Patients may also exhibit gastrointestinal distress or diarrhea, according to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
State officials urge Oklahomans to stay away from ill patients and to frequently wash their hands. Officials also urge community members to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
The virus is mainly spread from person-to-person, and symptoms usually appear two to 14 days after exposure. Fever, cough and shortness of breath are the most common coronavirus symptoms.
If you do become sick, you are asked to stay away from others. If you have been in an area where the coronavirus is known to be spreading or been around a COVID-19 patient and develop symptoms, you are asked to call your doctor ahead of time and warn them that you might have been exposed to the virus. That way, experts say, they have the ability to take extra precautions to protect staff and other patients.
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