Deaths in Oklahoma from the Chinese coronavirus dropped by 28% in March, according to statistics from the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

From February 26 to March 11, Oklahoma reported 167 deaths statewide. There have been 4,850 deaths attributed to the disease since the initial outbreak. Ninety-five percent of those deaths have been patients age 50 or old even though that age group makes up only 34% of the reported cases. The average age of those who died was 75 while the average age of cases was 41 in Oklahoma.

There has also been a 4.1% drop in reported cases (4,303 new reports).

Officials said more than 1.68 million vaccine doses have been administered in the state with as of April 3.

So far, about 41% of the Oklahomans age 65 or older have gotten the vaccination.

Oklahoma ranks 24th in the number of total reported coronavirus cases in the U.S. and 7th in the cumulative incidence (per 100,000 persons) of reported coronavirus cases in the U.S.

Diagnostic testing is freely available to all Oklahomans, and contact tracing is ongoing.

In the last week of March, 12 Oklahoma counties were in the “orange” risk level, 59 are in the “yellow” risk level, and six are in the “green” risk level for the coronavirus Risk Level System. OSDH continues to monitor closely the statewide hospitalization trends for coronavirus.

As of the last week of March, there were 436,135 cases of coronavirus in Oklahoma.

There have been 436,135 confirmed cases in Oklahoma with about 25,000 hospitalizations and 7,727 reported deaths. As of March 23, the Tulsa Health Department (THD) has confirmed 72,378 positive coronavirus cases in Tulsa County, with 774 people having died.

A mask mandate ordinance remains in effect in Tulsa city limits until April 30. Additional coronavirus requirements are also in place, including some business restrictions.

As of March 29, anyone over 16 years old who wants a coronavirus vaccine can schedule an appointment through the State’s vaccine portal at: vaccinate.ok.gov.

For questions on vaccines and appointments, call THD at (918) 582-9355 or call 211.

In just over a week, the launch of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) on March 15 has drawn more than 2,600 applications with more than $7 million in requests received for rent and utility assistance. The partner organization, Restore Hope Ministries, is processing each application and will notify the tenants who have been approved. Distribution of funds is anticipated to begin April 1. The funds will go directly to the landlord or property manager.

The City of Tulsa was awarded more than $12 million for ERAP from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. To find out more, visit https://erap.restorehope.org/. For more information on the program, call 918-528-9008.

Tulsa’s overflow shelter has seen more than 21,731 visitations at the former Tulsa County Juvenile Detention Center with the majority being male, making up 72 percent of the participants, 28 percent are female, six percent are veterans and five percent visited for the first time. It opened in September 2020 to help homeless people. The facility offers shelter, free wellness exams, veterinary care, legal aid and case management. In collaboration with Iron Gate, more than 33,830 meals have been provided. Other partners in this citywide effort include the Community Service Council and Housing Partners of Tulsa.

The money allocation is also helping fund the City Lights Hotel, in partnership with the City Lights Foundation. It provides a low-barrier shelter for those experiencing homelessness. The hotel has sheltered 225 individuals. Eighty-two of those needed isolation after testing positive for coronavirus. Approximately 37 of the residents were discharged from local hospitals, and the hotel also helped permanently house 44 individuals. Thanks to a partnership among local restaurants, the staff provides three meals a day for the hotel residents along with case management and connection to support services. 

More than 900 households have signed up for subsidized Internet service through the Tulsa’s partnership with Cox Communications. Eligible households interested in this service must currently lack Internet at home and have a student enrolled in Tulsa Public Schools, Union Public Schools, Jenks Public or Charter Schools, Educare, Headstart or CAP Tulsa who are receiving either government assistance or those who live in Section 8 Housing or live in public housing, among other eligibility requirements.

For information, call 918-900-0918 or visit: www.tulsaresponds.org/.  

Since the Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) launched in December, it has served 40 clients and has held 91 sessions. The one-on-one financial counseling is free for individuals, regardless of income, who are looking for long-term help in their financial goals. The topics include dealing with debt, creating a budget, building their savings and improving their credit. For information, call 918-802-7279.

The City of Tulsa Parks and Recreation’s student camps are open Monday through Friday, with Virtual Wednesdays, to help with distance learning. The camps offer pod-style learning areas where students 1st-6th grade can complete distance learning under the supervision of a support aide.

There is a $25 fee per student per week. To register, visit: www.cityoftulsa.org/camps.