COVID-19 UPDATES 4/2/20

HEALTH DEPARTMENT STATUS

• As of this advisory, there are 879 positive cases of COVID-19 and 34 deaths in Oklahoma. There are now 27 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.

GOVERNOR STITT EXTENDS ORDERS THROUGH APRIL

• Through April 30 in counties with confirmed cases, BUSINESSES not identified as being within a critical infrastructure sector should temporarily close.
• The following orders now apply STATEWIDE through April 30:
  • RESTAURANTS should provide takeout, curbside and delivery options only.
  • ELECTIVE SURGERIES, minor medical procedures and non-emergency dental procedures should be postponed until April 30.
  • Adults over the age of 65 and vulnerable individuals with serious underlying medical conditions should STAY HOME except for essential needs.
  • Visitations to nursing homes and long-term care facilities is temporarily PROHIBITED.
  • Gatherings should be LIMITED to no more than 10 people.
• The full amended order can be viewed at 
  http://www.sos.ok.gov/documents/executive/1926.pdf

 
TESTING RESTRICTIONS LOOSENED

• Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms or someone who has been in direct contact with someone with COVID-19 may now be TESTED.
  • Symptoms must include fever of 100.4F, cough and shortness of breath.
• Expanded testing is possible because the state’s TESTING CAPACITY has increased.

WHERE TO GET TESTED

• Contact your primary care provider or county health department to learn the best way to get TESTED in your area.
• The state has six DRIVE-THRU TESTING sites open and will open seven more soon. Locations can be found at coronavirus.health.ok.gov/drive-thru-testing
• STATE AND COUNTY health facilities are doing testing, and the state is partnering with numerous PRIVATE labs, as well.

 
SURGE EXPECTED IN LATE APRIL

• Governor Stitt says internal modeling is predicting Oklahoma’s peak to occur in LATE APRIL. Once increased testing results are folded into the models and they are finalized, they will be publicly released and used to marshal resources to meet the surge.

 
WIC APPLICATIONS ARE NOW ONLINE

• To minimize potential exposure to COVID-19, applications for Women, Infants and Children assistance can now be done ONLINE at wic.health.ok.gov
• There is no need to visit a clinic site because ALL functions can now be done over the phone or online.

 
SOCIAL DISTANCING IS KEY

• Everything the government is doing is critical, but nothing is more critical than doing your part to maintain SOCIAL DISTANCING during this time. Stay safe, follow the guidelines and we will come out of this together.

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