March 4, 2021 | TULSA SITUATION UPDATE

OklahomaHealth
Published: 03/04/2021, 7:03 PM
Edited: 03/11/2021, 10:22 AM
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(TULSA, Okla.) Saturday, March 6, will mark the one-year anniversary of the first confirmed case in Oklahoma, when an individual from Tulsa County tested positive. Over the past year, all of our lives have changed on some level. If you have not done so, please take a moment of silence to reflect upon the last year. Thursday at our press conference, we reported an additional 122 Tulsa County residents who have tested positive for COVID-19. To date, the Tulsa Health Department (THD) reports 71,227 cumulative total positive COVID-19 cases in Tulsa County. 69,103 residents have recovered. Through March 2, a cumulative total of 723 Tulsa County residents have died from COVID-19 reported today, bringing the total to 667 Tulsa County lives lost to COVID since the start of the pandemic. Data and trends are updated at tulsa-health.org/COVID19. Here is a data overview of the impact of COVID-19 in Tulsa County over the last year. Death rate per 100k population: 111.83 January 2nd 2021 was the day with the single highest case count of 1,224 January 12th 2021 was the single day with the highest number of deaths reported with 18 January was also the month with the highest total cases with almost 16,000 cases Those aged 18 - 35 had the most cases with 23,527 and thankfully there were only 7 deaths in this age group Deaths disproportionately were in those aged 65+, as there were only 9,227 cases, but 582 deaths Based on the average life expectancy in Tulsa County of 76.1, for all deaths due to COVID-19, the average years of potential life lost is 11.6 per death Based on actual ages for all deaths, the total number of years of potential life lost due to COVID was 4,050 The interactive Tulsa County Zip Code Case Map is updated weekly on Fridays and will take place Friday. This map reflects the daily active case rate per 1,000 residents. By the Numbers According to the Oklahoma State Immunization Information System (OSIIS), THD has administered 54,302 vaccines to date which includes 22,998 second doses. There have been 161.388 doses administered in Tulsa County and documented in OSIIS as of March 2. In Tulsa County, 58.8% of residents over the age of 65 have received at least one dose of the vaccine. 39.2% of residents over the age of 65 have completed the series. For Tulsa County residents over the age of 16, 20.4% have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 12.1% have completed the series. Scheduling an Appointment Appointments are required to receive the vaccine at the THD vaccine clinic. Anyone who is currently eligible to receive the vaccine must sign up on the Oklahoma Vaccine Portal at vaccinate.oklahoma.gov. Register Here THD continues to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible individuals in Tulsa County, which currently includes all health care workers, first responders, Oklahomans age 65 and older, pre-K through 12th grade teachers and staff, and anyone 16 and older with co-morbidities. Those co-morbidities include conditions like hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular disease, Down syndrome, diabetes mellitus, chronic lung, liver or renal disease, cancers and those who are at high risk of mortality and severe morbidity resulting from a COVID infection. When you register on the Oklahoma Vaccine Portal, there is a question for you to attest to your health status. No further documentation is required. If you receive your vaccine from your health care provider, they may use your medical records and history to determine if you are eligible. It’s important for everyone to be truthful and honest about their health status when registering for the vaccine. We know that COVID-19 can be more severe, even deadly, for people with certain underlying health conditions. If you are not truthful in your responses to the registration questions, you could be taking a vaccine opportunity from someone who has a high risk of dying from COVID-19. Teachers and Staff Prek-12th In partnership with Saint Francis Health System, Total Wellness and Passport Health have vaccinated close to 7,900 teachers so far with another 2,500 scheduled to be complete before spring break. We’re grateful to our partners and proud to be able to offer the vaccine to our local teachers and staff. We’re ahead of schedule to ensure all teachers and staff have had the opportunity to schedule an appointment to receive their first dose by spring break. OK Vaccine Portal Appointments Update THD has now completely caught up on the nearly 9,000 rescheduled appointments due to the inclement weather even working weekends to make this happen quickly. On Wed, March 3, THD opened over 8,700 new appointments in the portal for the upcoming week. We will continue to open new appointments weekly to ensure we are doing what we can to get those vaccinated who want to get vaccinated. THD continues to work to put the vaccines we receive from the Oklahoma State Department of Health into arms in approximately 7 days. Other Appointment Opportunities in Tulsa Co Using the Oklahoma Vaccine Portal is a way to schedule an appointment with a local county health department. There are other ways to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. Healthcare systems and pandemic providers are given vaccine allocations and are utilizing their own system to schedule appointments. Everyone follows the state's priority framework. As vaccine supplies allow, more pandemic partners will come online who are CDC-approved to receive direct vaccine shipment to provide additional vaccine access points. View opportunities: bit.ly/VaxTulsaCo Oklahoma is part of a beta-test for VaccineFinder.org, a national website through the CDC for anyone to view local vaccine opportunities. You can visit that VaccineFinder.org, or the Tulsa Health Department website, to view additional vaccine locations and providers. You can also call us at 918-582-9355 during regular business hours, or call 211 at any time. THD Vaccine Clinic We are currently operating a walk-thru schedule in the Lower Level of River Spirit Expo; 4145 E 21st St, Tulsa, OK 74114 for those with an appointment, those returning for their second dose from THD and those rescheduled. You will see directional signage and staff to re-direct you where to go for your appointment. Please park on the North side and come in the North entrance to the lower level. Those with an appointment for their first dose will be primarily given Pfizer. Those who scheduled an appointment for their second dose from THD, but you did not receive their first dose from THD, we will make every reasonable effort to ensure the correct vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) is available. If the vaccine needed is not available that day, we will provide information regarding how to access the correct vaccine. This information may be received from a phone call, email or at the site. The Oklahoma State Department of Health has updated their FAQs to include new instructions regarding 5 different paths you can follow to secure a second dose appointment. FAQs found here We are asking everyone to arrive on-time for their appointments to avoid a longer line with those arriving too soon for their appointment. We are able to get individuals through within an hour including the 15-minute observation period following receiving the vaccine. When you arrive at your appointment, you'll be asked to fill out a COVID-19 Worksheet with some basic information about yourself. You can fill the form out before you arrive to expediate your visit. View more about What to Expect at Your Appointment. This location is accessible and has wheelchairs onsite for those that need mobility assistance. Chairs are also provided for those that need to sit during the process. Support individuals can escort patients for their appointment. There is dedicated bi-lingual (Spanish-speaking) staff at our vaccine clinic. We also have a "language line" for volunteers, meaning there are dedicated volunteers who can speak other languages. What if I can't return or schedule on the exact day for my second dose? The Centers for Disease Control has issued guidance that the second dose should be administered as close to the recommended interval as possible. However, if it is not feasible to adhere to the recommended interval and a delay in vaccination is unavoidable, the second dose of Pfizer Or Moderna COVID vaccines may be administered up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose. Recommendations for your second dose for Pfizer is 21 days and Moderna is 28 days. The doses may be administered up to 4 days before. It’s recommended to return as close to the 21 or 28 day as possible. If a dose is administered after the recommended day (late), it is still a “valid” dose. The first dose does not need to be repeated. Resources and Questions 211 is a resource to help people with their questions and assist as they are able to with understanding and accessing the vaccine portal/resources; however, they are experiencing high call volumes which may cause a challenge to speak to someone. The best place for information on the COVID-19 vaccine in Tulsa County is our website: tulsa-health.org/COVIDvaccine. We will continue to provide information on when the vaccine will be available to you when it’s your turn. Beware of Scams Please be cautious of scams related to the COVID-19 vaccine. Any advertisements or offers for early access to a vaccine in exchange for payment are entirely fraudulent. Oklahoma State Department of Health does not require payment for vaccine registration. Follow the Three W's In the meantime, it’s vital that Oklahomans continue to take the necessary steps to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. Everyone should continue to wear a mask, wash their hands and watch their distance as ways to truly prevent the spread of the coronavirus. These actions, in conjunction with the vaccine plan, will make a huge difference in keeping our families and communities safe and healthy in the long term. State Reaches Milestone: 1M Vaccinated We are encouraged we passed the milestone of more than 1 million Oklahomans vaccinated. We want to vaccinate everyone who wants to receive the vaccine, but it is a process that will take time. Though new cases and hospitalizations are down compared to the previous months, now isn't the time to relax precautions. While others are waiting to receive the vaccine, it's important to continue following the 3 W's. The CDC continues to recommend correct and consistent mask use as a critical step everyone can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19. THD continues to support CDC recommendations and local city ordinances for mask wearing in public. THD will continue to evaluate the data and make data-driven recommendations for Tulsa County residents and municipal leaders. The downward case trends are encouraging, but it is too soon for the agency to change our recommendations regarding masks. Have a Safe and Healthy Spring Break When schools went on Spring Break last year, they were not able to return to in-person learning that semester due to the large rise in COVID-19 cases. Let’s avoid that happening again by making smart choices for your family’s Spring Break plans and continue to practice the 3 W’s. Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. The CDC recommends that you do not travel at this time. You may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still spread COVID-19 to family, friends, and community during and after travel. You should definitely not travel if you were exposed to COVID-19, if you are sick, or you have tested positive for COVID-19. Don’t travel with someone who is sick. If you still choose to travel, follow CDC guidelines to stay safe. If you are eligible, get fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Wait 2 weeks after getting your second vaccine dose to travel, because it takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination. Get tested with a viral test 1-3 days before you travel. Keep a copy of your test results with you during travel in case you are asked for them. Do NOT travel if you test positive. Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when in public settings. Masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet from anyone who did not travel with you. It’s important to do this everywhere — both indoors and outdoors. Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. If you are planning to travel internationally, check the requirements at your destination. When you return, all air passengers to the U.S. are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board a flight to the United States. There are many ways to enjoy the break safely with those that you live with. We all are ready to get away, but public health officials are asking everyone to continue to stay vigilant as COVID-19 is still here. Hopefully soon we can return to vacation planning mode. New: Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine A new COVID-19 vaccine formulated by Johnson & Johnson was approved by the FDA for Emergency Use Authorization on February 27th. The Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine is administered in one dose and does not require the same ultra-cold storage requirements as the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, creating more opportunities for vaccine storage and distribution. We are optimistic that it could increase the state’s total incoming vaccine supply and eventually help open more access points for Oklahomans. Read more here.
The addition of the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine to our toolbox means more people can get vaccinated, which increases the overall population protected. The three COVID-19 vaccines were not studied in head-to-head trials; therefore, they should not be compared to each other. However, they have all shown in trials to be safe and highly effective at preventing severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization and death. Talk to your doctor if you have questions. Questions are good. It’s normal to be cautious when something new comes along. Wanting to know more is a good thing — it means you want to be informed. Ultimately, the best shot is the one you can get. Testing and Locations It’s important to seek testing if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or if you are experiencing symptoms. Remember, COVID-19 symptoms may mirror what you normally brush off as “Oklahoma allergies” or a common cold. Testing for COVID-19 helps public health identify and stop outbreaks. People who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they have been fully vaccinated against the disease within the last three months and show no symptoms. If you want to be tested, the Tulsa Health Department will test you. If you are sick, think you may have been exposed, or just want to be tested, we encourage you to schedule an appointment online. 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 or schedule online. 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 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 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 Access Medical Care 2929 S Garnett Rd, Tulsa, OK 74129 Morton Comprehensive Health Services 1334 North Lansing Ave, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74106 Med Express 2140 South Yale Ave, Tulsa, OK 74114 MCI Diagnostics 7018 South Utica Ave Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136 NOHS 6732 East 41st St, Tulsa, OK 74145 Community Health Connection 12020 E 31 St, Tulsa OK 74146 City of Tulsa Update Tulsa Thanks You Project: Thursday, the City of Tulsa released the video from its Tulsa Thanks You video project, a communications initiative to thank Tulsa’s health care workers who have worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the City started receiving video clips, the City’s Communications Department compiled the video clips into one video that will be utilized in various settings across Tulsa. The video is currently being circulated in Tulsa’s local health care industry and in hospital systems, on the City’s social media channels and can be found at www.cityoftulsa.org/TulsaThanksYou. In January, the City asked for videos from any Tulsan, regardless of age or language spoken, to submit a short, 15-second video with a “Thank You” message. By Feb. 5, 2021, the City had received nearly 80 videos. The City thanks Tulsans for making this possible. One Year of COVID-19 Response in Tulsa One year ago this week, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Tulsa County. The City took immediate steps to try to prevent the spread of the virus and various executive orders and ordinances were issued during the year-long response. 2020 Lookback: March 16 – Proclaimed a civil emergency in the City of Tulsa - Events and gatherings were limited to a maximum of 50 people. March 17 – Limited all restaurants to only curbside, drive-through, takeout and delivery. Total closures included places of public accommodation such as bars, theaters, performance venues, museums, fitness centers, spas, and recreational or entertainment facilities. March 24 - Limited gatherings to a maximum of 10 people. March 28 - Amended existing executive orders to include physical distancing, adding a shelter-in-place order, prohibiting gatherings of people from different households, closing non-essential businesses, and providing quarantine guidelines. 1st municipality in the metro to issue a safer at home order. April 1 - Extended the provisions through April 30, prohibiting gatherings of any size, and requiring Tulsans to stay Safer At Home unless obtaining essential food or medical services, exercising or performing essential work. April 29 - Opened restaurants and public accommodations by May 1 and bars by May 15 following physical distancing and safe capacity in coordination with Governor Stitt’s Open Up & Recover Safely plan. On April 20 - With the Tulsa Regional Chamber, the City created the Mayor’s Economic Recovery Advisory Committee to help restore Tulsa’s economy amid its COVID-19 response. In May – The City created and executed a furlough plan to protect jobs and continuity of government; furloughs were lifted as planned in December 2020. In July – The City of Tulsa became the first city in the Tulsa metro to institute a mask mandate, approved by the City Council – the mask mandate helped slow the spread in Tulsa and continues to remain in effect until at least April 30, 2021. In October –Mayor Bynum signed an amended ordinance, which lowered the age requirement for those required to wear masks, extended the sunset clause, and added additional exceptions to the mandate. In November – Mayor Bynum signed an ordinance requiring all events with 150 people or more to submit a COVID-19 safety plan to THD. Additionally, more provisions were passed, including the requirement of separation and distance provisions to be put in place at places of public accommodation, with the ability for THD and City code enforcement to enforce the new ordinance. COVID-19 Relief Funding Updates As we mark one year since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Tulsa County, the City continues to support Tulsans’ physical and financial health during the pandemic through Coronavirus Relief Funds received from the State of Oklahoma, as well as federal funding allocated to several ongoing community projects. To date, $29.9 million has been distributed toward these community and economic development programs with $11.9 million remaining funds. The City’s overflow shelter at the former Tulsa County Juvenile Detention Center has seen more than 19,377 visitations since its opening in September 2020 from individuals experiencing homelessness. Adhering to social distance guidelines, the shelter has provided day and night services, such as shelter, more than 30,230 meals, wellness exams, free pet clinics, legal aid and case management. Some of the partners in this citywide effort include Mental Health Association of Oklahoma, Community Service Council, Housing Partners of Tulsa, Iron Gate and City Lights Foundation. Since the launch of the Financial Navigators program and Financial Empowerment Centers, which are designed to help Tulsans with free financial counseling, the City and its program partner, Goodwill Industries of Tulsa, have completed 240 sessions and given callers more than 1,595 referrals. The top three topics to date are utilities, rent and food pantry assistance. To learn more about either of these programs, visit: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/government/resilient-tulsa/financial-empowerment/ Funds have also been allocated toward Connect Tulsa, a program aimed at providing internet connectivity to households who lack high-speed internet during the pandemic. A total of 860 households have signed up for subsidized internet service or are awaiting approval through the City’s partnership with Cox Communications. For more information on the program and to see if you qualify, contact Tulsa Responds at (918) 900-0918 or visit https://www.tulsaresponds.org/. The City’s Student Support Camps launched in September of 2020 to help students with distance learning under the supervision of a support aide. An average of 70 children per week have been enrolled at various parks and recreation centers. Two new programs this year funded by COVID-19 relief funding include an Emergency Rental Assistance program, which is being developed to provide utility and rental assistance to individuals impacted by the pandemic, and the Request for Proposals grants for nonprofits to serve residents in our community who have been affected by COVID-19. For more information on COVID-19 relief funding, visit: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/cares 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.

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