Coronavirus, Tulsa COVID-19 Situation Update – June 17

(TULSA, Okla.) To date, the Tulsa Health Department (THD) has confirmed 1,825 positive COVID-19 cases in Tulsa County. 1,166 residents have recovered and 64 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 is currently following the State of Oklahoma’s OURS Plan. For additional guidance and information, visit: www.okcommerce.gov/ours-plan/. Health Update Tulsa health officials encourage Tulsa County residents and visitors to continue to follow public health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community. The more people an individual interacts with at a gathering and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the potential risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and COVID-19 spreading. Anyone planning to attend a large-scale gathering will face an increased risk of becoming infected with COVID-19. Public health officials advise all individuals who attend a gathering of any kind to practice the following safety measures to protect your health and those around you: If you are a part of a vulnerable population group, which includes those 65 and older or are immunocompromised, please stay home. Seek out ways to participate virtually. If you are sick, or have been recently exposed to someone with COVID-19, stay home and seek out virtual ways to participate. If you attend, wear a cloth face covering correctly. The whole point of wearing it is to protect those around you, in case you are infected and don’t know it. Your mask should cover your nose and mouth, fit snugly against the sides of your face, and allow you to breathe easily. Avoid touching your face. Wash your hands with soap and water often. If those aren’t accessible, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol. Be kind to those taking your temperature if that is offered at your gathering, or check your temperature yourself beforehand. If you have a fever of 100.4 degrees or above, seek out options to participate virtually. After attending a large gathering, individuals should monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days and contact their health care provider if symptoms develop. There are many opportunities to be tested in Tulsa County. Local hospitals and health care systems offer testing to their patients. The OU-Tulsa and OSU Center for Health Sciences offer testing. There are several Walmart and CVS locations that offer testing. The Tulsa Health Department is also offering testing by appointment only by calling 918-582-9355. The Tulsa Health Department has a list of testing resources on its website: www.tulsa-health.org/COVID19. THD has expanded its contact tracing team to now include nearly 60 public health professionals who assist with case notification, contact tracing and risk assessments. The team includes bilingual professionals to ensure they are meeting the need for non-English speaking individuals we contact. THD also has the ability to use a language line for translation services as needed. Contact tracing is a standard public health tool to mitigate the spread of disease. A THD representative will call individuals and facilities that have been exposed to a confirmed case to assess the risk and make a recommendation including isolation and quarantine. The person calling will never ask for money or your social security number. Saint Francis Health System has donated 40,000 masks to help in the fight to lessen the spread of COVID-19. Now that healthcare systems have had a chance to secure personal protective equipment for internal populations, including staff, patients and visitors, they have also been able to secure masks from a supply that is separate from what they use for staff. Beginning Friday, June 18, anyone can visit any Reasor’s, Rib Crib or Catholic Charities location to receive a free mask while supplies last. City of Tulsa Friday Closures Tulsa Municipal Criminal Court will be closing on Thursday, June 18, at noon and will remain closed until Monday, June 22. All cases set for June 19 will be automatically re-set to August 18, 2020. City of Tulsa Development Services, which includes Permitting, located on the 4th floor of City Hall, will be closed to the public on Friday, June 19. Staff will work remotely on Friday. Development Services will reopen to the public on Monday, June 22. Tulsa County Update On Tuesday, the Board of County Commissioners approved an agreement to work with a partner entity that will administer a forgivable loan and grant program for small businesses and nonprofits headquartered in Tulsa County who experienced COVID-19-related closures and interruptions. More information on the program will be made available soon. Additionally, the Tulsa County Courthouse will be closed on Friday, June 19, and reopen on Monday, June 22, at 8 a.m. Street Closures for Weekend Events More information about street closures and event logistics for the weekend will be shared once details are confirmed. Cooling Stations in Tulsa With more people expected to be in Tulsa over the weekend and as temperatures rise, it’s important to stay hydrated and cool to prevent the risk of heat-related illnesses. In Tulsa, there are three cooling stations. Tulsa County Social Services 2401 Charles Page Blvd. Tulsa OK 74127 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Dennis R. Neill Equality Center 621 East 4th Street Tulsa, OK 74120 Noon to 9 p.m. 7-days a week John 3:16 Mission 506 N. Cheyenne Tulsa, OK 74103 24/7 For more information on weekend operations, please follow us on Twitter at @cityoftulsagov.