The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) Commissioner of Health Gary Cox sent a letter to remind Oklahoma’s private labs that the state earlier this month designated COVID-19 as a disease that is immediately reportable to OSDH. In his letter, Cox urged private labs to comply with state statute by reporting both positive COVID-19 test…
NASHVILLE — The coronavirus outbreak has had ripple effects across the country, including in churches, according to a new study of pastors. Nashville-based LifeWay Research asked Protestant pastors how the pandemic has impacted their congregations and what their plans are for the near future. While nearly all pastors say their church held in-person worship services…
POINT LOOKOUT, MO. —While the College of the Ozarks campus has trimmed to essential operations, remaining staff and faculty are helping out in new ways as they cross-train to perform vital functions. Because Hard Work U. is a work college, and students are involved in every operation, their absence is felt greatly and affects every…
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has issued a Safer at Home Order that extends to all 77 counties for vulnerable populations (those 65 and older and those with underlying medical conditions) to stay at home through April 30. Mayor G.T. Bynum issued a Safer at Home order for all Tulsans that began March 28 through April…
Stitt has clarified his amended executive order about postponing elective surgeries which are not defined as a “medical emergency” under state law. That means no elective abortions unless “to prevent serious health risks to the unborn child’s mother.” That order lasts through April 7. The order includes routine dermatological, ophthalmological, and dental procedures, as well…
Stitt has issued an order to place a moratorium on all out-of-state travel paid for by the State of Oklahoma and temporarily relaxes peace officer and CLEET certification requirements. This moratorium is on all out-of-state travel for employees and officers of agencies that is paid for, in whole or in part, by the State of…
On March 26, COVID-19 testing supplies arrived in Oklahoma that will allow for 10,000 individuals to be tested in the coming weeks. The state also brought online 2 more labs, partnering with OSU and OU, which will allow the state to process up to 2,800 test results a day. Contrary to a media report, Oklahoma…
The Stitt administration and Oklahoma hospitals are working on a plan to increase ICU capacities by 40%. Last Friday the Governor requested FEMA to begin a survey for additional locations where the state could expand hospital locations for treating COVID-19 patients. The State has expanded its public-private partnership with labs with new partnerships with Regional…
As of March 30, there were 481 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Oklahoma with 17 deaths. New counties with confirmed cases include Beckham, Cotton, Love, Garfield, Rogers, Seminole and Texas counties. The state launched a website to coordinate corporate PPE donations across the state to get critical protective equipment to health care professionals: ppedonation.ok.gov Tulsa…
The Oklahoma Legislature did not meet again this week in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. The House and Senate stopped work and left the Capitol building after setting rules to allow them to adjourn to the “call of the chair” instead of a specific date. The only constitutionally mandated duty the Legislature must perform before…