COVID-19 UPDATES 3/26/20

As of yesterday, we have our first confirmed positive cases (3) in our community. Please take COVID-19 seriously. Follow the CDC guidelines of social distancing, increased hand-washing, and staying home (see attached graphic). If all of us follow these guidelines, then we can #StopTheSpread and #FlattenTheCurve.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT STATUS

• As of this advisory, there are 248 positive cases of COVID-19 and seven deaths in Oklahoma.
• The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) continues to support guidelines from the CDC related to social distancing and personal hygiene. OSDH encourages Oklahomans to stay home, reduce person-to-person contact, wash hands frequently, and avoid touching your face. If you develop symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath or cough, please contact your medical professional or call the COVID-19 call center at 877-215-8336 or 211 for assistance.
• For more information, visit coronavirus.health.ok.gov.

OKLAHOMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• The State House will continue working REMOTELY next week, from March 30 to April 3. The House will remain OPEN at this time but won’t be working from inside the Capitol. No committee or floor activity is planned next week.
• To protect public health, CAPITOL access is still restricted the elected officials, essential staff, press and state officials invited for critical meetings.
• Good progress is being made on the state BUDGET, which has been prioritized for an agreement and vote far earlier than usual this session.

 
FEDERAL UPDATE

• The U.S. Senate has approved the $2.2 trillion coronavirus RELIEF BILL and sent it to the U.S. House, which is expected to vote on it within a day.
• Most of the bill’s provisions will take IMMEDIATE effect. Full details will be reported upon final passage and signature by the President.

 
SCHOOLS

• Public schools will remain physically closed while beginning DISTANCE LEARNING for the rest of the school year after action by the State Board of Education and Superintendent Joy Hofmeister.
• Distance learning begins April 6. LOCAL DISTRICTS will determine the distance learning plans for each district, and communicate those details to parents and students. Distance learning may include instruction online, over the phone, on television or with mailed materials.
• Mandatory statewide TESTING has been waived this year.

 
BUSINESS CLOSURES

• The business closure provision of Governor Stitt’s “Safer at Home” executive order is IN EFFECT until April 16, subject to additional changes. Under the order, businesses not considered essential are to close in counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases.  
• The list of essential businesses has been EXPANDED. Details and requests for exemptions to the order can be found at okcommerce.gov/covid19

 
MOBILE TESTING

• The Oklahoma State Department of Health’s satellite testing locations in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Kay, and Pittsburg counties are LAUNCHING IN PHASES.
• Under the order of the State Department of Health, locations of the test sites will be given UPON REFERRAL and by appointment only as recommended by health care professionals. Supplies are limited and intended to serve communities in those areas only, so the test sites are not open to the general public.

 
CRIMINAL SCAMS

• A wide variety of CRIMINAL SCAMS related to coronavirus are increasing, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Every U.S. Attorney has appointed a full-time coronavirus coordinator to prioritize prosecution of coronavirus-related crimes.
• Beware of ROBOCALL, ONLINE and IN-PERSON scams pushing fake vaccines, fake tests, immunity kits, counterfeit personal protective equipment, nonexistent health care services and more. Also beware of HOARDING and PRICE-GOUGING of critical supplies.
  • Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter’s guidance can be found at https://bit.ly/2QIQx1c and https://bit.ly/2JkDizz
  • Western District of Oklahoma U.S. Attorney Tim Downing’s guidance can be found at https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdok/covid-19-fraud-0
• REPORT inappropriate activity to:
  • Attorney General Mike Hunter’s Consumer Protection Unit by phone at (405) 521-2029, or email at consumerprotection@oag.ok.gov
  • The U.S. Department of Justice National Center for Disaster Fraud at (877) 720-5721, justice.gov or email at disaster@leo.gov
  • The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov

 
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

• The work search requirement for unemployment benefits has been temporarily waived by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.

As always, I can be reached via email at daniel.pae@okhouse.gov and phone at 405-557-7374.  ​