COVID-19 UPDATES 3/31/20

HEALTH DEPARTMENT STATUS

• As of this advisory, there are 565 positive cases of COVID-19 and 23 deaths in Oklahoma. There are now 15 positive cases in Comanche County. Please follow CDC guidelines and the Governor’s executive order. 
• 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.

PPE SUPPLY

• Just as progress has been made to increase Oklahoma’s testing, progress has been made to increase the state’s PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT supply.
• According to Governor Stitt’s administration, Oklahoma now has 100% of its delivery from the national PPE stockpile in state. More than 4 million N95 and KN95 masks have been purchased. An estimated 11 days of PPE are on hand, up from 9 days last week.
• Efforts to secure additional PPE are ONGOING because more will be needed as testing increases and confirmed cases surge.
• Donations of PPE can be made at ppedonation.ok.gov

TESTING

• Oklahoma has four DRIVE-THRU TESTING locations, with two more coming online in Western Oklahoma later this week. Details on the drive-thru locations are now online at coronavirus.health.ok.gov/drive-thru-testing
• OSU’s lab is now doing COVID-19 testing. OU’s lab will be ready to test in one to two weeks. The state received more tests and is ordering more in anticipation of an upcoming SURGE.

 
STUDENT MEALS

• Students statewide will soon be able to receive two FREE MEALS a day until June 30 or until the federally declared public health emergency ends.
• SCHOOL DISTRICTS will distribute the meals at school sites.
• The meals are possible thanks to a free and reduced price lunch program waiver requested by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

LAW ENFORCEMENT GUIDANCE

• Governor Stitt and Attorney General Mike Hunter have issued GUIDANCE to law enforcement to limit their exposure to COVID-19 while maintaining public safety. The guidance covers procedures during arrests and inmate transfers, plus protocols within jails and prisons.
• Law enforcement personnel statewide are encouraged to review the document at 
  ​http://www.oag.ok.gov/Websites/oag/images/Limiting%20COVID-19%20in%20jails%20-%20best%20practices.pdf

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