COVID-19 Situation Update: April 24

(TULSA, Okla.) To date, the Tulsa Health Department (THD) has confirmed 467 positive COVID-19 cases in Tulsa County. 341 residents have recovered and 27 have died. Test results are updated daily at www.tulsa-health.org/COVID19. For the most up-to-date news, information and business resources in Tulsa, visit www.cityoftulsa.org/COVID-19. Tulsa Safer at Home Remains in Place Through April 30 – City of Tulsa Update A Safer at Home Order remains in place for every Tulsan, prohibiting public events, private events and social gatherings through April 30 at 11:59 p.m. Under the current Safer at Home Order, residents can make essential trips to the grocery store, get medication and other necessary items needed for survival. Patronizing essential businesses for non-essential purposes, such as apparel or personal care services, should not occur. If you have questions of what you can or can’t do, visit www.cityoftulsa.org/yesorno. Effective May 1, Mayor Bynum will issue a new order that will mirror both the federal and state guidelines for Phase One rollbacks. Tulsa’s shelter in place policy will discontinue at that time, the state’s guidelines for industry will be in place, and social gatherings of more than 10 people will be prohibited in accordance with federal recommendations. Throughout Phase One, non-essential travel should continue to be minimized and those 65 years or older and those with compromised immune systems should continue to follow the State’s Safer at Home order. The use of cloth face coverings in public continue to be strongly encouraged. City Golf courses and tennis facilities will be reopened on May 1 with additional safety precautions put in place. Tulsa Parks facilities, playgrounds and recreation facilities will remain closed on May 1. The City of Tulsa Parks’ 2020 Swim Season, as well as all Day Camps, are canceled for safety reasons during the COVID-19 threat as social distancing and sanitization would be an impossible feat in both pools and day camps. The City hopes to offer a Day Camp over Fall Break depending on the stage we are at during that time. The City will not be hiring lifeguards this summer. The City of Tulsa will continue the utilization of its work from home policies and encourages other able employers to do the same. To date, 64 employees are in quarantine and two City employees have tested positive for COVID-19. One is recovered and the other is recovering. To help keep officers safe, Tulsa Police are asking residents to make non-life-threatening reports online at www.tulsapolice.org or by phone through the Tulsa Police non-emergency number at (918) 596-9222. 911 should be used for emergencies only. Drive-Thru Testing Sites There are now three drive-thru testing sites in Tulsa, all of which are by appointment only. Walk-ins cannot be accepted. OSU Center for Health Sciences, (918) 599-5300 OU-Tulsa, (918) 619-4980 Walmart at 81st and Lewis, www.DoINeedaCovid19Test.com or call 1-800-635-8611 For more information on testing sites, visit: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/residents/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-testing-sites-in-tulsa/ If you were exposed to a known COVID-19 patient or are exhibiting symptoms for COVID-19, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, call THD at (918) 582-9355. THD also offers specimen collection for a limited number of individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19 who are uninsured or underinsured. Howl & Howler Event Friday Friday night, the City of Tulsa and River Parks are hosting a citywide stay-at-home event. At 7 p.m., open your window, step onto your balcony, or go out to your front yard and make some noise for at least 2 minutes. For more information, visit the events tab on the City of Tulsa Facebook page, @CityofTulsaGov. Tulsa County Update Tulsa County was awarded a $3 million grant from the federal Economic Development Administration on Tuesday to modernize two existing pump stations in the Tulsa-West Tulsa levee system. Thanks to Senator Inhofe’s leadership, support, and advocacy the funds were secured. This grant will help the County begin the replacement of 70-year-old equipment—none of which functioned under the pressure of the heavy flows in 2019. Functioning pump stations are critical as the County continues to push for the funding needed to rebuild the entire levee system, which helps protect businesses, industries, schools, and homes from severe storms and flood events. The Tulsa County Parks department can have golf course reopen in as little as ½ a day when the OK is given. Staff have already identified additional social distancing protocols and practices for disinfection and cleaning of equipment to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 while allowing people to get outside and enjoy the game of golf. Residents can view their new video series on Facebook highlighting some of the County’s Parks staff and the work they do, as well as some other fun stories about what they’ve seen throughout their careers. Morton Comprehensive Health Services anticipates delivering more than 2,000 meals for Meals on Wheels this week, up from about 1,700 last week. In addition to all the other work they do to support out healthcare infrastructure, Morton is continuing to transport patients daily to appointments, for dialysis, for prescription pick up, and other needs. DVIS and Child Abuse Network Resources Domestic Violence Intervention Services (DVIS), along with the Family Safety Center, the District Attorney’s office, local law enforcement agencies and other organizations, are working together to ensure victims of abuse are made aware of available resources throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information on these resources, available in both English and Spanish, visit www.dvis.org. The Child Abuse Network has created a page of resources on their website at www.childabusenetwork.org to help families find the information and help they need during this difficult time. Additionally, the Children’s Advocacy Center is operating under revised procedures to safely serve children and their families as needed. Calling the Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-522-3511, allows the appropriate authorities to open an investigation, gather facts and protect a child if they're being harmed in any way - that includes physical or sexual abuse as well as inadequate food, shelter or supervision.