Tulsa COVID-19 Situation Update- October 13, 2020

(TULSA, Okla.) To date, the Tulsa Health Department (THD) has confirmed 19,473 positive COVID-19 cases in Tulsa County. 17,145 residents have recovered and 180 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. Currently, our 14, 30, and 60 day trends are all showing increases. For the month of September, the 5 high risk settings with the most associated cases were in order: K- 12 schools Health Care Food Service Long term care / nursing homes Dorms / college housing Early October data indicates a similar breakdown, but correctional facilities are now in the top 3. As of Wednesday, our data team predicts Tulsa County will officially have reached 3% of all of Tulsa County residents as having tested positive. THD officials know the true number of cases in Tulsa County is more than the number of confirmed positive test results, but this is a milestone. 1% on July 20th 2% on August 28th, 3% predicted for October 14th. The only way Tulsa County won't reach 3% Wednesday is if the number of cases are less than 27. The Tulsa Health Department is committed to transparency and have been publishing zip code data on our COVID-19 dashboard for many months now. We believe it’s important for Tulsa County residents to be able to easily see how prevalent the virus is within their own community. Our zip code risk map was created to reflect the daily active case rate per 1,000 residents, and will be updated on a weekly basis every Friday. As of the last update on Friday, there is 1 zip code in the green, 13 zip codes that are yellow, 24 zip codes that are orange, and 4 zip codes are red. You can view the public health recommendations for each color on our website. Anyone can view this zip code map on our website: www.tulsa-health.org/COVID19. Flu Season As the seasonal flu begins to circulate this time every year, the Tulsa Health Department encourages everyone six months and older to make a point to get their flu shot now. The CDC recommends that you get your flu vaccine by the end of October. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in your body. If you still need your flu shot, it’s not too late! THD is now offering the seasonal flu vaccine by appointment only. THD accepts most major forms of insurance, and offer low- or no-cost vaccine to those who qualify. Call 918-582-9355 to make an appointment. Anyone can get the flu, but some people are at an increased risk for severe illness that could result in hospitalization or even death. During last year's flu season, 16 Tulsa County residents died and 866 residents were hospitalized with influenza. Taking steps to prevent the flu will allow our health care systems to concentrate their efforts and have room to treat all illnesses including COVID-19. For more information, visit our flu page. Flu vs COVID-19 Tuesday, City of Tulsa Mayor Bynum and Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Gist received their flu vaccine by a Tulsa Health Department nurse. Thank you Mayor and Superintendent for leading by example and taking this step to protect yourself and your family. How to Celebrate Halloween Safely The Tulsa Health Department has been receiving many questions from the community wondering if THD is going to make the recommendation to cancel traditional Halloween activities like trick-or-treating. The Tulsa Health Department does not have the authority to cancel such activities. Halloween is an example of something that can still be fun for kids and families, as long as people follow the same general recommendations of wearing masks, watching your distancing, washing your hands and avoiding crowds and indoor events. "To be honest, I can’t think of a better opportunity to have some fun while wearing a mask and keeping your space outdoors," said Executive Director, Dr. Bruce Dart. "It’s important for everyone to make some modifications this year." 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. In the upcoming days, THD will be launching an online appointment process to make it even easier to make 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 or concerned that you may have COVID-19. 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 is 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 IMMY Labs City of Tulsa Update Permit Center Update To continue to ensure the safety of both visitors and staff, the Permit Center on the 4th floor of City Hall will remain closed for in-person business until Dec. 1, 2020. Two weeks prior to this date, the City will reevaluate reopening the Permit Center for in-person business based on local health data and release updated details on whether the Permit Center will remain closed for in-person business. The Permit Center will continue to provide customer services throughout the in-person closure. Applicants can use the Online Portal for all permit applications except Commercial Priority Review, Commercial Repair, Certificate of Occupancy, Residential Fast Track, and Demolition Permits. All of the exceptions above must email their applications to cotdevsvcs@cityoftulsa.org. For questions, residents can call (918) 596-9456. Additionally, customers may request virtual Pre-Development, CCP, or other project meetings by email or phone. All inspectors, plan reviewers and others will continue to take health precautions when they visit your property. All City staff undergo a temperature check before each shift and wear a face covering when in the presence of others. Inspectors will enter commercial occupancies but not enter residences. Any staff with a confirmed COVID case will be placed in quarantine and will not make inspections. CARES Act Updates As of Tuesday, the citywide collaboration to end homelessness has helped make 422 permanent housing placements. The City’s temporary shelter at the former Tulsa County juvenile detention center for people experiencing homelessness continues to provide vital resources to Tulsans as other local shelters are operating at reduced capacity to allow for physical distancing. Resources provided at the emergency shelter include meals, medical care, vet care for their pets and case management. Since September 8 when doors opened, the shelter has had 1,910 visits with 41 enrolled in the night shelter. In addition to this CARES Act-funded program, a quarantine hotel has been setup in partnership with City Lights Foundation. The hotel, which operates at an undisclosed location, allows people to recover from COVID-19 in dignity, await testing results and/or isolate if they are highly vulnerable. To date, it has served 109 individuals. Since the launch of the Financial Navigator program (FN), 152 sessions have been completed and financial experts have made more than 900 referrals. The main topics are utility, rent and food pantry assistance. Services are offered in Spanish, Zomi and Burmese. You can schedule a session with a financial navigator at no cost by calling 211 or filling out a form on the City’s website: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/government/resilient-tulsa/financial-empowerment/. To learn more, a new video showcasing the Financial Navigator program has been published on the City of Tulsa’s YouTube CARES Act playlist. The City’s Downtown Coordinating Council is still accepting applications for the Get Your Business Out grant that will distribute up to $10,000 for each qualifying business to reimburse eligible expenses associated with expanding outdoor business operations. The funds will allow small businesses impacted by the pandemic to utilize their outdoor space to build a parklet, sidewalk café and street dining. For more information on the grant and how to apply, visit: https://www.downtowntulsaok.com/gybo

For more information about Phase 1 programs of the City’s CARES Act funding, visit: www.cityoftulsa.org/CARES Creative & Cultural Economy Recovery Program Today, the City of Tulsa, Tulsa Arts Commission, and Tulsa Planning Office began accepting applications for the VISION Arts Creative & Cultural Economic Recovery Program, which will support organizations in creating economic development opportunities in Tulsa while complying with health and safety guidelines. The Creative & Cultural Economic Recovery Program, a collaboration between Tulsa City Council, the Mayor’s Office, and Tulsa Arts Commission, will provide nominated 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(3)-sponsored organizations funding for programs that employ creative or scholastic talent to offer safe arts and humanities experiences to audiences. Applying organizations may request up to $25,000 in funding with no private match requirement. Eligible organizations must provide proof of their own (or sponsor’s) tax-exempt status, details about the current and anticipated effects COVID-19 will have on their finances, and a justification of planned expenses. Nominated organizations will have until Nov. 30, 2021 to make qualifying expenses. The Tulsa Arts Commission is coordinating with ahha Tulsa and Arts Alliance Tulsa to host virtual information sessions at the following times: 1) 3 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 22, 2) 2 p.m. Sat., Oct. 24, 3) 10 a.m. Mon., Oct. 26, 4) 6 p.m. Wed., Oct. 28. Information on how to join the virtual sessions will be available on the program webpage. Before finalizing submissions, applicants may request personalized support from an independent arts and culture professional before 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15.To apply or learn more about the program and its requirements, visit www.tulsaplanning.org/visionarts. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 30. Finalists for funding will be selected in December, with disbursements expected to follow as soon as possible. For questions, contact JT Paganelli at jpaganelli@incog.org. Early Voting at ONEOK Field The Tulsa County Election Board anticipates record-breaking voter participation for the three-day early voting period of Thurs., Oct. 29 – Sat., Oct. 31. Given the expected number of voters and the need to social distance, ONEOK Field will be the ONLY early voting location for the November 3 Presidential Election. The centrally located, open-air venue will allow Election Board staff to ensure the success of early voting and the safety of all voters. There will be ample parking available near and around ONEOK Field with accessible parking and entrances available for those voters who need accommodations. Tulsa Transit will also offer voting-age people wearing an “I Voted” sticker free transportation on the fixed route buses on early voting days. Riders will need to pay their regular fare to the polling location at ONEOK Field but can ride free after voting by wearing the “I Voted” sticker when boarding the bus. See the parking map for details on parking and Tulsa Transit stop locations. Voters will need to wear masks and social distance; Election Board staff are required to wear PPE. Absentee ballots cannot be dropped off at ONEOK Field. Because all available Election Board staff members will be needed to facilitate early voting at one large site, the Tulsa County Election Board will not be available for early voting, but will be open for other business including in-person absentee ballot drop-off. In-person absentee ballots must be dropped off no later than 5 p.m. on November 2 and voters must show the same identification required for in-person voting. 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.