Public Health Emergency Preparedness Update 9/17/2020

(TULSA, Okla.) To date, the Tulsa Health Department (THD) has confirmed 15,654 positive COVID-19 cases in Tulsa County. 13,981 residents have recovered and 151 have lost their lives. Data and trends are updated at www.tulsa-health.org/COVID19. The Tulsa Health Department publishes a weekly heat map of cases just below the case data dashboard. The dashboard is updated daily including weekends. For the week of September 6-12, Tulsa County saw a 27.27% decrease in cases compared to the previous week. The age group with the most cases continues to be the 18 – 35 age group, followed by the 36 – 39 age group. For the second week in a row, there are more cases among children in the 5-17 age group than in the 65+ age group. Multiple outbreaks have been identified multiple outbreaks at K-12 schools, colleges and universities, religious services, and in long-term care settings. Among cases associated with high-risk settings, schools had the most cases, followed by long term care settings. The City of Tulsa represents 61% of all cases within Tulsa County. The portion of Broken Arrow that is within Tulsa County represents 16% of all cases. Both Bixby and Owasso each represent 5% of cases. All other municipalities each represent less than 5% of cases. The Tulsa Health Department stands ready to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine when that becomes available. Our immunizations and emergency response teams are working diligently to make preparations to receive the vaccine. There are many unknown variables to take into account at this time, including the date a vaccine will be available, the quantity that will be allocated for Tulsa County, and the priority populations determined by the CDC. We will continue to be transparent and communicate updates when they are available. The Tulsa Health Department has had mass vaccine plans in place since the early 2000s. These plans are extensive, involve numerous community partner agencies, and are updated and exercised annually. You may recall, that we implemented these plans during the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic, when we distributed H1N1 vaccines to thousands of Tulsa County residents at various sites across Tulsa County like Expo Square and the Mabee Center. We have a great team that continues to build upon these plans to ensure we are meeting the needs of our community. Safety Reminders for In-Person Learning Tulsa Health Department continues to see an increase in COVID-19 cases among children under the age of 18. Since August 19, we have had 196 confirmed cases associated with K-12 settings all across Tulsa County reported to us by schools. Tulsa Health Department staff are in daily, continuous communication with our local school systems to ensure we are effectively partnering to prevent spread, quickly identify new positive cases, conduct contact tracing, and make the appropriate isolation and quarantine recommendations. Parents, grandparents and caregivers: we need your help to keep our students safe! Any student who has been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 must quarantine for 14 days following the last close contact with the COVID-19 positive individual. Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes. Even if your child is healthy, or if they are tested and it comes back negative, you should keep them away from others for the full duration of the 14-day quarantine period because symptoms may appear within 2-14 days following exposure. The student should not attend in-person class, sports or extracurricular activities. It’s important to follow public health quarantine recommendations to help prevent the spread of the virus to others and to prevent potential outbreaks at the schools. We recognize this is not easy and it is frustrating, but the recommendations set forth are to prevent outbreaks and to protect the students, staff, and family members outside of the school. Parents should also keep children out of school if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or if someone in the household is awaiting test results following exposure. In recent weeks, we have learned of multiple instances of a student being sent home during the day after a family member received positive test results. So please, do not send your child to school, sports or other activities until you have your results. If your child’s test result comes back positive, do not send the child to school, even if the child has no symptoms. The child must be isolated at home, with an adult present for young children who are isolated, for at least 10 days from the date symptoms began or from the day they were tested. Even after the 10 days, the child must be fever free for at least 24 hours and have improved symptoms. If you have received a positive result from a lab, do not wait on a contact tracer to call you. You must isolate at home. Parents may need to consider the feasibility of teleworking, taking leave from work, or identifying someone who can supervise your child in the event they are being quarantined due to an exposure. We love seeing Tulsa Public Schools and other community partners carrying the public health message throughout our community to keep everyone safe and healthy. Looking good, TPS! Testing and Locations If you want to be tested, the Tulsa Health Department will test you. We do not charge for COVID-19 testing. Tulsa Health Department conducts specimen collection for testing by appointment only; same- or next-day appointments available. Location and appointment time varies by day. Instructions for services will be provided at the time the appointment is made. Call the Tulsa Health Department at 918-582-9355 to set up an appointment. It’s important to remember, if you are being tested for COVID-19, you should self-isolate while waiting on your test results; especially if you have been exposed. If you were exposed to a known positive case and you test negative, it is still important to stay home for the full duration of your 14 day quarantine as the virus can develop 2-14 days after exposure. Tulsa Health Department South Testing Location 8414 E 101st St. S., Tulsa, OK 74133 North Regional Health and Wellness Center 5635 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Tulsa, OK 74126 Testing in Tulsa County also available at the following locations below. Hours, eligibility requirements, cost and other details may vary. Please visit the organization's website or contact them directly for more information. For testing statewide, visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health. OU-Tulsa 4502 E. 41st St, Tulsa, OK 74135 OU-Tulsa Wayman Tisdale Specialty Health Clinic 591 E. 36th St N, Tulsa, OK 74106 OSU Center for Health Sciences 1111 W 17th St, Tulsa, OK 74107 Walmart Locations: 2019 E 81st St, Tulsa, OK 74137 2301 W Kenosha St, Broken Arrow, OK 74012 207 S Memorial Dr, Tulsa, OK 74112 CVS Locations: 751 West Tucson St, Broken Arrow, OK 74011 2351 N. 9th St, Broken Arrow, OK 74012 4107 South Harvard Ave, Tulsa, OK 74105 8010 East 51st St, Tulsa, OK 74145 Access Medical Care 2929 S Garnett Rd, Tulsa, OK 74129 Morton Comprehensive Health Services 1334 North Lansing Ave, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74106 Tulsa ER & Hospital 717 West 71st St S, Tulsa, OK 74132 Med Express 2140 South Yale Ave, Tulsa, OK 74114 MCI Diagnostics 7018 South Utica Ave Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136 Health Education in Schools The Tulsa Health Department’s school health program, It's All About Kids, works to improve overall health and academic achievement of Tulsa County school-aged children in collaboration with students, schools, and the community by aligning learning and health through comprehensive nutrition and health education. Additionally, our teen pregnancy prevention program, Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP), specializes in empowering young adults to make proud and responsible decisions, as well as educating them about the dangers and risks associated with sexual activity. The goal of the program is to prevent teen births and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. The program works with schools in Tulsa County, especially those that have the highest teen birth rates, in an effort to influence change and increase education. Both teams have been busy modifying their program offerings to meet the needs of schools in both virtual and in-person instruction. I am so proud of their efforts to adapt and offer virtual lessons to continue to provide valuable and critical health education to our Tulsa County students. The PREP team’s efforts to transition to virtual implementation is the result of collaboration with community partners, which truly exemplifies the resiliency and adaptability of our community to ensure the important health education work can continue Flu Season In two weeks, on October 1, the Tulsa Health Department will begin offering the seasonal flu vaccine by appointment only. We accept most major forms of insurance, and offer low- or no-cost vaccine to those who qualify. We encourage everyone age 6 months and older to receive a seasonal flu vaccine. Anyone can get the flu, but some people are at an increased risk for severe illness that could result in hospitalization or even death. In the 2019-2020 flu season, 16 Tulsa County residents died and 866 residents were hospitalized with influenza. A seasonal flu vaccine prevents flu and severe outcomes of flu. Preventing the flu also means preventing missed work and helps you avoid doctor appoint­ments and unnecessary medications. It also means preventing flu symptoms that can mimic COVID-19, saving healthcare resources needed for COVID-19 care. The flu season typically runs from October to May. Make plans to get your vaccine in October to provide protection early in the season. And of course, wash your hands frequently and stay home if you feel unwell. For more information, visit our flu page. CARES Funding Updates The City of Tulsa’s CARES Act funding continues to support Tulsans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new day shelter at the Juvenile Detention Center has seen more than 174 visitations in the first week, in which 86 were first-time visitors. The shelter provides a safe place to stay for individuals experiencing homelessness, while adhering to CDC social distancing guidelines. In partnership with Iron Gate, 470 meals have been distributed at the day shelter. The Mental Health Association of Oklahoma, Skyline Animal Hospital and Pause 4 Paws had a successful free pet clinic at the shelter on September 12. They provided wellness exams and vaccinations to five pets of vulnerable Tulsans. Since the newly launched Outdoor Business Capacity Expansion Program through the Downtown Coordinating Council, more than a dozen businesses have applied for a $10,000 grant to expand outdoor operations via a parklet, sidewalk café and street dining. The funds will be used to assist small businesses with barriers, building materials, installation, lighting or outdoor furniture to effectively and safely operate outdoor service amid the pandemic. For more information or to apply to a grant, visit: https://www.downtowntulsaok.com/gybo The Student Support Camps at City parks and recreation centers are providing working parents an outlet for children who are in distance learning. This week, 56 children were enrolled in the camp, and there is still room for more at some of the sites. For more information on these camps, visit: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/camps

The Financial Navigators program, also funded by the CARES Act, has completed 74 sessions to help Tulsans with no-cost financial advice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 600 referrals have been given to callers. The top three topics remain: utilities, rent and food pantry assistance. To learn more and to request a phone appointment with a Financial Navigator, visit: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/government/resilient-tulsa/financial-empowerment/ Tulsa County Update Earlier this week the Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency (TAEMA) and Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa began providing five masks to each senior they delivered to thanks to funding from Tulsa County’s CARES fund. Counting the more than 300,000 masks provided to Tulsa County schools and hundreds of thousands more distributed through this and other Tulsa County CARES programs, TAEMA has distributed more than 1 million masks to date throughout Tulsa County. Also on Monday, the Board of County Commissioners approved an additional $20 million for the Tulsa Economic Development Corporation to continue their efforts providing loans and grants to small businesses and nonprofits throughout the County. A total of $50 million has now been allotted through this program. The Tulsa Housing Authority, which received up to $15 million in CARES Act funds for renter’s assistance, has extended their application deadline from Sept. 4 to Sept. 30. Visit www.tulsacountycares.org for more information on this program and others. The Tulsa County Election Board continues to receive an unprecedented number of absentee ballot requests. Just this last weekend, staff completed 30,000 absentee ballot kits for the November 3 election. Oct. 9, 2020, is the last day to register to vote in the November 3 election. Early voting will begin on Thurs., Oct. 29. Donations Accepted Corporate, industrial or medical partners wishing to donate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may email covid19donations@cityoftulsa.org. At this time, we are unable to accept donations from private households or individuals due to quality control issues and potential contamination. Items collected will be distributed to the Regional Medical Response System. Hotline Hours Anyone with questions, concerns or seeking COVID-19 testing can call 918-582-9355 during normal business hours to speak with a public health professional. 211 is a community resource for questions outside of normal business hours.