Oklahoma Public Safety: THD Public Health Emergency Preparedness Update

March 26, 2020 5:30 p.m. CST

Situation Update

There have been 41 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Tulsa County. Tulsa Health Department epidemiologists conducting investigations on positive cases continue to identify community spread in Tulsa County.

THD has updated its numbers on the website to align with the Oklahoma State Department of Health's age range bracket to avoid confusion. In order to continue to protect the health of the public and reduce the number of staff in the office, Tulsa Health Department has moved more of its services online or by phone.

The next press conference with city and county officials is scheduled for Saturday, March 28 at noon. Following these conferences, Spanish, Zomi and Burmses versions are on posted on City of Tulsa GOV's Facebook page.

"What we can all do right now is try and prevent as much as we can and limit exposure. Try to let go what you can't control and focus on what you can control like staying six feet away from the public when going out for necessary errands and washing your hands. We won't see the paybacks of our actions today until a few weeks from now, so we need to remain patient and cooperative for a short time. I know Tulsa County residents are experiencing emotions of loss. We feel the world has changed, and it has. The places where people gather are the greatest conduit for transmission. Our children don't understand why they can't go to school, play their sports or see their friends. This is a temporary state, as history has shown. Right now is a time to overprotect but not overreact. We're all coming together on staying apart." - THD Executive Director, Dr. Bruce Dart

View today's press conference

Tulsa Parks/Playgrounds Closed

In an effort to combat gatherings of 10 or more people, all City, County and River Parks playgrounds will close today. Additionally, City of Tulsa playgrounds, adult fitness facilities, sports courts (tennis, pickleball and basketball), dog parks, and skate parks will close. Trails, open space, disc golf and City and County golf courses will stay open.

Read City of Tulsa Release Here | Read Tulsa County Release Here

What to Do If You Are Sick

Link to content | Download PDF

KUDOS to our OKMRC Volunteers at the Phone Bank

A HUGE shout out to our amazing Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corp volunteers that have been here each and every day, arm in arm with our public health officials serving the community during this COVID-19 crisis. They have worked long hours answering the increasing calls in our phone bank each day. THANK YOU!!!!

The OKMRC is a volunteer organization that helps out in times of disaster/emergencies and in non-disaster times we assist with various public health initiatives. In order to volunteer, individuals would have to complete the application, take the OKMRC Orientation and then successfully complete the short quiz after orientation. Once that has done, we will request a background check. Once their background check has come back successfully they will be eligible for their OKMRC badge and OKMRC t-shirt (this is their response uniform). In order to be deployed they will need to complete three more required trainings:

FEMA IS-100
FEMA IS-700
Family First: Developing a Family Emergency Plan

All of these trainings are available on-line and can be done at the volunteer's convenience. These trainings are important for volunteers to take before responding because they familiarizes them with the Incident Command System (ICS) structure that is used during emergency responses and remind individuals to make a plan for their family before responding. OKMRC currently has just under 6,500 volunteers statewide and around 1,100 here in Tulsa County. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter. THD is currently utilizing its pre-identified and pre-credentialed volunteers. However, this response is rapidly evolving and there may be more opportunities to help.

Additional Resources for Tulsa County residents

Ways to Support Local Small Businesses

Resources for Employees/Individuals Negatively Affected by COVID-19

OSDH Hotline

OSDH Website

Guidance Documents

Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has put together documents that can be shared publicly through your agency. We appreciate your effort in communicating this message.