IR)--Seeking information about the coronavirus pandemic? Information is available from federal, state and local resources. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has comprehensive information on its website at cdc.gov/coronavirus.

 

*The Oklahoma State Department of Health has provided a statewide COVID-19 Call Center: (877) 215-8336. Hours of operation are: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. weekdays and 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. weekends.

 

*To stay updated with City information regarding COVID-19, residents should access the city website regularly at: www.Enid.org/coronavirus or on social media at: Facebook.com/cityofenidoklahoma.

 

 

CC)--The Enid Mayor and Board of Commissioners are expected to vote on a contract for a construction manager at risk for the Kaw Lake water pipeline project during their regular meeting tonight. The item on the agenda is an amendment to a contract worth $429.670.33 for Garney Construction, of Kansas City. If approved, the amendment will extend Garney's services as the Construction Manager at Risk with the goal of reducing the construction cost of the program to ensure the overall program budget of $315 million is maintained. Also on the agenda, several easements for the Kaw Lake project, the rezoning of property for Enid Public Schools, and appointments to several city boards and commissions.

 

The regular meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers in the City Administration Building, 401 W. Garriott. During their study session prior to the regular meeting, commissioners will discuss the construction manager at risk proposal, as well as hear and update on the Kaw Lake project. The study session is at 5:00 p.m. in the Lower Level Conference Room. Both meetings are open to the public.

 

                                           --00--  17  Mar  20  12n

 

LF)--Loaves & Fishes food resource center has suspended client shopping in its pantry and gone to drive-through distribution of pre-packed food boxes to limit the risk of coronavirus exposure. "The health, safety and well-being of our volunteers, clients and staff is the number one priority of Loaves & Fishes of Northwest Oklahoma as we face these uncertain circumstances," said Lydia Kelley, Loaves & Fishes executive director. "We also remain committed to feeding our hungry neighbors during this pandemic and doing all we can to lift up those who are in need." Pre-packed boxes of food will be distributed in the pantry's parking lot. Kelley said Loaves & Fishes "will still aim to provide fresh produce, meat and dairy items to our clients." Loaves & Fishes was closed today so staff could prepare boxes. Beginning Wednesday, the drive-through will be set up in the parking lot and will offer clients an estimated two weeks worth of food, including bread, meat, produce and dairy, as available. Starting Wednesday, March 18, the drive-through will be open 3:00-6:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 1:00-4:00 p.m. Wednesdays. Loaves & Fishes does need volunteers. "We’d like to encourage anyone who is healthy and who feels comfortable to consider volunteering," Kelley said. "It’s a difficult time to ask for help, but with small staff tasked with overseeing distribution, we will likely need 10-15 volunteers each day. If you are able to work with us please reach out to L&F at (580) 540-9830.

 

                                           --00--  17  Mar  20  5p

 

RW)--City officials announced that the crack seal project will resume on South Hoover from West Maine to West Owen K Garriott Wednesday. The work will begin from West Maine and go south towards West Garriott. The road will be closed to thru traffic between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Weather permitting, work is expected to be completed by March 27.

 

On Thursday, road work will occur on East Elm, from 5th Street to 6th Street. The street will be closed to all thru traffic during the day and expected to reopen overnight. Motorists are encouraged to follow posted traffic control signs and drive with extreme caution in the areas during construction.

 

Residents can sign up for mobile app notifications to get communication about road construction, trash schedules, holiday closings, water outages, and other important events by going to: Enid.org/RequestCenter or by downloading the SeeClickFix app.

 

                                           --00--  17  Mar  20  5p

 

The latest from the Oklahoma State Health Department

• As of this advisory, there are 17 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Oklahoma.
• At this time, all test results conducted through the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) public health laboratory are sent to the ordering physician or submitting clinical facility. Test status or results will not be provided by phone. If test results are positive, public health officials initiate an investigation, which results in notifying the patient and provider to conduct the case investigation and contact tracing procedures.
• Testing materials remain in short supply. Patients are encouraged to consult their physician or public health professional about their symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath. Clinicians may recommend testing for other respiratory illnesses, including flu, before recommending a COVID-19 test. Those individuals who are uninsured may call 211 for community resources.
• OSDH encourages people who need to engage with state agencies to visit the agency’s website to learn more about online options rather than visiting state agency offices. Please visit Oklahoma.gov for a directory of state agencies and links to their websites.
  • For birth certificates, please apply online at MyOklahoma.ok.gov or VitalChek.com
  • For WIC benefits, please click here.
  • For existing SoonerCare members, please visit mySoonerCare.org to apply and manage benefits.
• For more information, visit coronavirus.health.ok.gov 
•  

COVID-19 Oklahoma Test Results

 

Positive (In-State)	17
Positive (Out-of-State)	2
Negative	247
PUIs Pending Results	82

 

Data Source: Acute Disease Service, Oklahoma State Department of Health.*As of 3/17/2020 11:00 a.m.

 

                                           --00--  17  Mar  20  12n

 

WD)--If you’re having symptoms of COVID-19, don’t go straight into the doctor’s office, state health officials say. According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, county health departments do not offer testing for coronavirus. If you develop symptoms, such as fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with someone known to have COVID-19 or have traveled from an area with ongoing spread of coronavirus, call your health care provider or COVID-19 hotline at 877-215-8336 for recommendation first. Before going into a doctor’s office, you should call ahead and discuss your symptoms.

To help prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19, following these guidelines:

*Wash hands often

*Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth

*Cover your cough or sneeze

*Avoid close contact with people who are sick

*All Oklahomans are advised to take social distancing precautions such as implementing telework and avoiding large gatherings when possible.

 

                                           --00--  17  Mar  20  7a

 

SE)--Enid Mayor George Pankonin signed a state of emergency proclamation in Enid to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Core City services will continue, but the emergency declaration will:

 

*Close certain City government offices to the public,

*Revoke all public or private events that require City permits,

*Cancel or postpone meetings of City boards and commissions that are not mandatory during         the state of emergency,

*Follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations to limit gatherings of more than 50 people at public or community events.

 

The emergency will begin immediately and will remain in effect until Monday, April 13 unless further extended. Closures include:

*Champion Gym

*Public Library of Enid & Garfield County (updated from previous announcement)

*Service Center

 

The following facilities will remain open for individual use:

*Meadowlake Golf Course

*City Parks

 

The City is asking individuals in the community who are sick, not feeling well, or caring for sick family members, to conduct any necessary business with the City through the telephone, email, or online methods. The City recommends that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) guidelines be followed to prevent the transmission of germs. Residents are encouraged to remain calm; take precaution at home, in public, and while traveling; and practice social distancing. OSDH has provided a statewide COVID-19 Call Center: (877) 215-8336. Hours of operation are: 9AM – 7PM weekdays and 9AM – 3PM weekends. To stay updated with City information regarding COVID-19, residents should access the city website regularly at: www.Enid.org/coronavirus or on social media at: Facebook.com/cityofenidoklahoma.

 

                                           --00--  17  Mar  20  7a

 

EC)--City of Enid public gatherings of 50-plus people are canceled, postponing several performances at the Stride Bank Center through April 13 due to concerns of the coronavirus. “We’ll be postponing all gatherings of 50 or more people through April 13,” Stride Bank Center General Manager Kevin Boryczki said. Events affected will be PRCA Xtreme Bull Riding – originally scheduled for March 28, Chicago - Live in Concert April 1, Land Run Beer Fest April 4 and the April 11 Oklahoma Flying Aces game, Boryczki said. The Stride Bank Center is looking to reschedule all performances, he said. “We’re encouraging fans and patrons to keep tickets until a new date is scheduled or until it’s officially canceled,” he said. “At this time, anything after that is still scheduled as planned.” Shows still slated include Ron “Tater Salad” White April 16, Fire on the Mountain Tour with The Charlie Daniels Band and The Marshall Tucker Band April 23 and Rodney Carrington Live June 6.

 

                                           --00--  17  Mar  20  7a

 

SC)—Schools across the state will be closed until April 6. State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister said state education officials will continue to monitor the coronavirus situation to determine if it’s necessary to extend the closure. According to the Oklahoma State Department of Education, the department has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on two requested waivers allowing meal service to continue during school closures. Meals will be available at no cost to low-income children and are not required to be served in a group setting to avoid possible exposure to COVID-19.

 

                                           --00--  17  Mar  20  7a

 

GP)--Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has issued a proclamation declaring an emergency in all 77 counties to provide public health officials, health care providers, state agencies and small businesses support as a result of the national spread of COVID-19. By declaring an emergency, state agencies may make necessary emergency purchases or hires; small businesses are able to apply for low-interest federal loans; and certain restrictions are temporarily lifted on hospitals and other health care providers in order to treat patients effectively.

                                           --00--  17  Mar  20  7a

ON)--Due to public health concerns, the Enid Chamber is canceling the April 9 Ambassadors’ meeting. Enlisted Appreciation Night which was scheduled for April 25 and the Enid legislative trip to Washington, D.C. scheduled for May have been postponed. These events may be rescheduled at a later date. In a conference call on Monday with Governor Stitt and chamber leaders across the state, the governor indicated that 68 new testing facilities will be set up around the state in partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Health and other stakeholders.

 

                                           --00--  17  Mar  20  9a

 

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Oklahoma small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This funding will be provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by President Trump. To qualify for the program, the state must submit documentation of business losses for at least five businesses per county. If approved, an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance declaration will make disaster loans of up to $2 million available to small businesses and private, nonprofit organizations to help alleviate economic injury caused by COVID-19. Oklahoma businesses affected by the Coronavirus are asked to fill out the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management’s Small Business Disaster Economic Injury Assessment survey by clicking HERE. When SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications are made available, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce will have staff available to assist small businesses with filling out the forms. Companies needing assistance with the application forms and economic development organizations providing assistance to businesses in their communities should contact Ray Little at ray.little@okcommerce.gov or 405-815-5227.

 

                                           --00--  17  Mar  20  9a