Keeping You Informed: Your Weekly COVID-19 Updates

As of March 31, there are 565 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Oklahoma. There have been six more deaths, three in Oklahoma County and one each in Canadian, Muskogee and Wagoner counties, bringing the total deaths statewide to 23.

Regionally, there are no reported cases in Blaine County, one in Major County, four in Custer County which includes Weatherford, one in Caddo and 19 in Canadian County, which includes portions of Yukon and Piedmont. There are a few test kits available in Blaine and other predominantly rural counties, but in order to receive a swab, patients must meet the rigorous testing protocol. Thus far in the county, three of four tests at Watonga have been negative. One is still waiting for results, and one test given at Okeene was negative.

The City of Watonga declared a state of emergency at noon March 31. Under that declaration, the city may suspend utility disconnects, restrict access to municipal facilities including the library and acquire personal protective equipment for first responders. They may also conduct outbreak response activities as warranted under a unified command.

The declaration also urges residents to use social distancing, appropriate hygiene, self-isolation as needed, and general social responsibility. Businesses are encouraged to use innovative techniques to deliver goods and services to the community while limiting exposure to the Covid-19 virus and investigate assistance programs available to them.

On March 30, the state had received more than 60 percent of its personal protective equipment order from the federal government's Strategic National Stockpile. Expectations are for the remaining federal supplies to be in house by the end of the week. The order included gloves, gowns, face/eye protection, N95 masks and surgical masks.

Officials moved 700 cases of personal protection equipment to regional warehouses located on the front lines of resupplying medical system providers. Because of the national shortage, Oklahoma will hold its supplies from the national stockpile for hospitals with ICU beds and those with Covid-19 patients or presumptive positive patients.

However, the state placed a multi-million-dollar order of supplies on the private market and that order is expected to arrive in the next week.

Gov. Kevin Stitt’s “Safer at Home” order for all 77 counties until April 30 includes no gatherings in groups larger than 10 people, and the suggestion that people age 65 or older or those with a compromised immune system shelter at home.

On both statewide and municipal levels, individuals can still leave for essential errands such as to grocery stores or pharmacies. Please call 2-1-1 or visit covidresources.ok.gov for resources and information. Or visit coronavirus.health.ok.gov.

Connie Burcham can be reached at Editor@WatongaRepublican.com