On Monday, Oklahoma started Phase 3 of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s recovery plan to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
On Friday, Oklahoma had only about 700 active COVID-19 cases out of nearly 4 million residents and more than 5,000 people have already recovered.
Eighty percent of the deaths in Oklahoma were people who were age 65 or older. No one under the age of 18 has died and only 1% of the deaths were in the category of ages 18-35. The 50-64 age range had 16% of the deaths and the rest were in the 36-49 range (2%).
There have been no reported coronavirus deaths in 30 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties. In fact, 44 counties have had one or less.
Active cases in Oklahoma and Tulsa counties, the state’s two largest, make up less than 0.03% of the population in their respective counties.
As of June 1, there were 6,573 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Oklahoma with 5,511 patient recoveries. There have been 186,700 negative tests. There are 154 patients in hospitals and that number is falling. Since the pandemic began, Oklahoma has had 986 patients hospitalized and 334 people have died.
On Monday, Tulsa County has had 1,022 cases with 814 recovered patients and 54 deaths. Last Friday, the City of Tulsa has had 720 confirmed cases with 681 patients recovering and 36 deaths.
As of May 28, 188,665 tests have been performed with just 3.7% positive. Since Phase 2 was initiated May 15, 69,914 tests have been performed and just 2.1% have been positive.
“We are making responsible decisions based on the data in our state,” said Stitt. “While cases continue to decline 36 days into our re-opening, it is important Oklahomans remember COVID-19 is still in the United States and we must continue to be diligent about washing our hands frequently, maintaining physical distance and protecting our most vulnerable populations.”
Under Phase 3, businesses may resume unrestricted staffing at their worksites by observing proper CDC-recommended social distancing protocols and are recommended to continue increased cleaning and disinfecting practices.
Individuals should minimize time spent in crowded environments and continue following CDC guidelines regarding social distancing.
Additionally, summer camps are allowed to open. Businesses that had been operating by appointment only may begin accepting walk-in clients. Limited visitation to hospitals may be reinstated at the discretion of the facility.
Data shows COVID-19 has a significantly more profound impact on the elderly and immunocompromised people, so visitation at nursing homes and long-term care facilities will remain suspended except for end-of-life situations until lifted by an executive order.
“Our measured approach to reopening has been a key reason why our data remains trending in a positive direction,” said Secretary of Health Jerome Loughridge. “It is vital that communities across the state only move to Phase 3 when their local data supports that decision.”
Free COVID-19 testing remains available to all Oklahomans at more than 80 locations. For information, go to coronavirus.health.ok.gov.
“We remind Oklahomans they do not need to be experiencing symptoms to get tested for COVID-19 at our more than 80 county facilities,” said interim Commissioner of Health Lance Frye. “We also encourage Oklahomans to take calls from, and stay in communication with, our growing contact tracing team, which will be a powerful tool in ensuring we can protect public health and the state’s economy as we recover.”
May 30 city statistics
Bixby has had 25 confirmed cases with 21 patients recovering and no deaths.
Broken Arrow has had 3 confirmed cases with 128 patients recovering and 11 deaths.
Collinsville has had 21 confirmed cases with 19 patients recovering and no deaths.
Coweta has had 62 confirmed cases with 48 patients recovering and 12 deaths.
Glenpool has had 23 confirmed cases with 22 patients recovering and no deaths.
Jenks has had 22 confirmed cases with 19 patients recovering and no deaths.
Owasso has had 33 confirmed cases with 28 patients recovering and 1 death.
Sapulpa has had 39 confirmed cases with 35 patients recovering and 3 deaths.
Sand Springs has had 38 confirmed cases with 34 patients recovering and 2 deaths.
Skiatook has had 58 confirmed cases with 51 patients recovering and 7 deaths.
Tulsa update
Starting June 1, events (with no size limit) could resume in Tulsa. Special event permits will be issued according to the state’s Reopening Plan on June 1.
During Phase 3, employers can resume unrestricted worksite staffing and visits to hospitals and senior living facilities may resume subject to certain guidelines as outlined by the state and each individual facility.
Water Moratorium Updates
Starting in June, utility bill collections will resume through a phased approach. For customers who have already setup a payment arrangement due to COVID-19, the city will start calling those customers in early June to ensure payments are being made and/or to come to terms on a new arrangement to avoid service interruptions. Bills mailed in June will include a cut-off date and special notice. Payments or arrangements must be made by the cut-off date to avoid service interruptions for these bills starting June 15. Late fees will resume for customers not paying bills on June 19.
City Hall updates
Starting June 1, City Hall visitors will be asked to wear cloth face coverings and have their temperature checked by security before entering the building.
Tulsa parks updates
Parks and trails are all open, so long as patrons practice social distancing. Outdoor shelter rentals and park event permits will start being accepted again, with an initial limit of up to 100 people.
Playgrounds, outdoor exercise equipment, basketball courts, and outdoor bathrooms will be reopened with social distancing guidelines and other restrictions in place. Other than bathrooms, equipment will not be sanitized, and users should wash hands before and after use and use hand sanitizer regularly while using the equipment.
Basketball courts will be limited four people per hoop and participants should maintain distance or use masks. Sports complexes, as well as individual use fields will reopen, and games and large group practices may resume with safety protocols in place. Water faucets at dog parks are turned on for dog use, but water fountains will remain shut off.
Aquatics and pools
Water playgrounds and splash pads will be reopened with safety and social distancing policies. Tulsa Parks pools will remain closed for the 2020 season.
Community centers and programs
Community and specialty centers (including Oxley Nature Center and WaterWorks Art Center) re-opened June 1.. Community centers will not offer summer kids day camps, nor will they offer youth or adult summer sports leagues.
Masks will be required to enter each building and may be removed only during participation in exercise and physical activities. Everyone will be asked to sign/scan in upon entering the building, and temperatures will be checked.
Centers who offer open gym/studio will do so in a limited capacity and some may require reservations. Indoor basketball will be limited to one-man drills and shooting practice. Fitness rooms will open but may will close throughout the day for 30-minute disinfectant breaks. Smaller fitness rooms may limit the number and time allowed, residents should call their facility for details.
CVS testing sites
Several new testing sites have been added across the Tulsa metro at select CVS locations. Testing sites are by appointment only. Users should bring evidence of insurance or know their social security number. To schedule an appointment, visit https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic.
SNAP assistance
If citizens have been impacted by furloughs, layoffs or cut hours, they might be eligible for SNAP (food stamps). Right now, qualifying families of four could get up to $649/month for help with groceries.
To inquire, call 1-877-760-0114. To learn more, visit www.hungerfreeok.org/groceries.
Tulsa County Update
The Family Safety Center has re-opened for normal business hours, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. for victims of intimate partner and domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and elder abuse to begin filing for Emergency Protective Orders. There will be new access procedures including that only victims may enter—no accompanying supporters or children will not be allowed inside. Masks will be provided to those who do not have one.
Phase 2 of the Tulsa County District Courts reopening plan began on Monday. The BOCC expects continued commitments on behalf of the courts to reduce the population of courthouse visitors.
Busy month of testing
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has surpassed its goal to collect and test more than 90,000 specimens in the month of May. As of May 27, OSDH had processed 113,264 specimens collected for COVID-19 testing since the first of the month, with a total of 183,632 tests conducted since COVID-19 was first detected in early March.
“Testing is paramount to controlling the spread of COVID-19,” Interim Health Commissioner Lance Frye, MD said. “Reaching this goal is only a starting point in the strategy for Oklahoma. In order to increase progress on minimizing the spread of COVID-19, we will continue to expand testing accessibility, increase contact tracing efforts and encourage Oklahomans to remain steadfast by continuing to follow State and CDC guidelines.”
OSDH highly encourages Oklahomans to get tested for COVID-19. Due to sufficient COVID-19 testing supplies, Oklahomans no longer need to exhibit symptoms or to have been exposed to someone who tested positive.
Regional COVID-19 testing sites are open in multiple cities in Oklahoma as a result of a cross-county, city and state health system partnership, and Oklahomans can find a free testing location in their community by visiting: https://coronavirus.health.ok.gov/testing-sites.
Okla. Guardsmen support food bank
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the community, 25 Oklahoma National Guard airmen from the 138th Fighter Wing were activated to provide support to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma in Tulsa.
“I think we were all overwhelmed when we learned how much of a need our fellow Oklahomans have for food support during these times,” said Senior Master Sgt. Andy Fraser, 138th FW human relations officer. “Our eyes were really opened during a mission where we were handing out 40,000 pounds of chicken at a mobile pantry site and the cars in line were backed up for five miles.”
The airmen were activated from April 21 – May 21. During that time they delivered more than 319,000 pounds of food, more than 65,000 pre-made meals and drove a total of 15,990 miles while providing food assistance to local communities.
While supporting the food bank, airmen worked with Tulsa Kitchens Unite, a program that partners with locally owned restaurants to provide free prepared meals to families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma supports 24 counties across the area and has increased the amount of food distributed to those areas by approximately 50% throughout the month of April, compared to their typical monthly average due to the impact COVID-19 has had on the surrounding communities.
Prison visitation
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections resumed inmate visitation last weekend.
Visitation will be highly structured to accommodate social distancing. Visiting sessions will be two hours long and offered multiple days a week.
Facility personnel will immediately end any session where a visitor is not adhering to posted rules.
Oklahoma City Military Museum re-opens
The 45th Infantry Division Museum is the nation’s largest state operated military history museum depicting the military history of Oklahoma, the 45th Infantry Division and the Oklahoma Air and Army National Guard. With displays from 1541 through the Global War on Terror, the Museum includes the country’s third largest collection of historic U.S. military firearms and the world’s largest collection of items once owned by Adolf Hitler.
“The decision to reopen was based on state COVID-19 reopening guidelines, and we are excited to share the history of the 45th Infantry Division and the Oklahoma National Guard once again,” said, Executive Director, Denise Neil.
The museum is currently featuring a temporary exhibit called, “Treasures from the Collection,” which highlights objects that are rarely on public display. Although interesting, these artifacts do not easily fit into the museum’s storyline, but this exhibit provides an opportunity to showcase some unique items including trench art, battlefield souvenirs, paintings and unique uniforms. The Treasures from the Collection exhibit will run through December 31, 2020.
Currently, the museum’s hours of operation are: Tuesday – Friday 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Social distancing guidelines are in place; masks are encouraged by not required.