Health officials reported this week that the number of reported coronavirus cases in Oklahoma has increased by 80% for the week ending July 17 and the seven-day average number of cases has nearly tripled in the past two weeks.

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s weekly report released Wednesday, there were 4,840 new cases for the seven days ending last Saturday. The previous week’s report showed 2,688 new cases.

The increase is likely due to the highly contagious delta variant of the virus moving into the state, health officials say. Oklahoma ranks 10th in the nation with 221.3 new cases per 100,000 population.

Data from Johns Hopkins University shows the seven-day rolling average of new Oklahoma cases increased from 260.6 on July 6 to 749.9 on Tuesday.

According to Wednesday’s report, 46.4% of Oklahomans have received at least one dose of the virus vaccine and 40.1 % are fully vaccinated compared to 56.2% with one dose nationwide and 48.8% fully vaccinated. In Seminole County, 42.8% of the 12+ population has been fully vaccinated and 73.4% of those in the 65+ age group are fully vaccinated.

“The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19, including more transmissible variants like the Delta variant, is to get vaccinated-ed. It may not seem like a priority when you’re young, but COVID can cause severe illness or hospitalization at any age,” Jackie Kanak, Regional Director at the Seminole County Health Department, said in a press release. “We’ve seen the impact vaccines have had on our community and hope to empower unprotected individuals to make the best decision for themselves and their health as we head into a new school year.”