LAWTON - COVID-19 cases in Lawton Public Schools and one local hospital are experiencing a mixed bag of results, according to the latest figures released this week.
Comanche County Memorial Hospital reported 63 COVID-19 patients had been hospitalized as of Feb. 1 with 38 of them unvaccinated, 17 vaccinated with no booster and eight have been vaccinated with a booster. The hospital also reported it has 10 COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit with seven of them unvaccinated.
CCMH noted in its daily COVID-19 briefing that the hospital is full with 21 patients still waiting for a room.
Meanwhile, Lawton Public Schools is showing a decrease in COVID-19 cases for students and employees compared to a month ago after the holiday break. The latest figures show four staff members and 13 students remain isolated due to positive tests. At the same time, 60 students remain quarantined because of a close contact with someone who tested positive for the virus.
Eisenhower Elementary has four students who tested positive while Hugh Bish Elementary has three positive cases and Freedom Elementary at Fort Sill has two cases. Eisenhower Middle School, Carriage Hills Elementary, Cleveland Elementary and Crosby Park Elementary each have one positive case.
Lawton Superintendent Kevin Hime said the decline in COVID-19 cases is a “great sign” the district is getting over the “holiday spike.”
“We will continue to monitor and remain vigilant with our sanitation practices,” he said.
School officials also are able to test students and staff on site, which has been a benefit to the district.
“They do not have to wait in long lines and can get immediate results,” Himes said in an email statement. “If numbers begin to spike again, we will evaluate and make our decisions based by site. We hope that does not happen, but we will ensure the safety of all in our care. We want to thank our staff, students and families for their help during this new normal.”