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Local News with J. Curtis Huckleberry

KGWA Local News Wednesday

 

CV)--Two more cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Garfield County, as the number of positive tests in the state rose to 719, with 30 deaths, according to the state health department on Wednesday. Garfield County and Texas County in the Panhandle, are the only Northwestern Oklahoma counties with positive tests recorded by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Forty-eight of the Oklahoma's 77 counties are reporting cases, with 219 hospitalized, according to Oklahoma State Department of Health.

 

COVID-19 Oklahoma Test Results 04/01/20

Positive (In-State)

719

Positive (Out-of-State)

2

Negative*

1248

Hospitalized

219

Deaths

30

*Negative testing results are only from the State Public Health Laboratory and do not include private laboratory negative results.

 

                                            --00--  01  April  20  1p

 

OS)--Gov. Kevin Stitt this afternoon announced that he has issued an amended executive order to close nonessential businesses in all 77 counties in Oklahoma through April 30 to limit the exposure of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The executive order prohibits gatherings of 10 or more people, closes all bars, gyms, exercise facilities, hair salons and other nonessential businesses. It also puts restrictions on restaurants, saying they can only operate takeout, delivery and curbside services. Stitt’s emergency declaration also issues a “safer-at-home” order for vulnerable populations, which includes people 65 years old or older and those with underlying health issues. People will still be allowed to go to grocery stores and other places for essential needs and to go to work that are deemed essential. Stitt also urged people to be tested for COVID-19 this week. He said six drive-thru facilities are operational as of Wednesday afternoon and 13 mobile testing sites throughout Oklahoma will be available by the end of the week. According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, drive-thru testing sites without needing an appointment are open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the following cities:

 

Woodward from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Woodward County Event Center.

Altus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Western Oklahoma State College.

Lawton from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Urgent Care Clinic, 3811 W. Gore.

 

Criteria for testing at drive-thru testing sites:

 

Must be 18 or older

Only one specimen per household

Have not had close contact (within six feet) of someone who has tested positive in past 14 days

Currently experiencing fever (>100.4 degrees F) AND cough or shortness of breath.

 

Testing is also available at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a physician referral and by appointment only.

 

                                            --00--  01  April  20  5p

 

BB)--The owner of an Enid bar has been cited for violating the city of Enid's emergency management plan in response to the COVID-19 health crisis.52 year-old Timothy McGugin of Enid, was cited Sunday, March 29 at The Spot Sports Bar, 417 N. Grand, Enid Police Department records show. The citation is for $565. After reports from the public, Officers found the bar open for business and populated by more than 10 patrons, both direct violations of the Emergency Declaration. McGugin, whom police said had already previously received a warning, was cited for violating the regulations of the Emergency Declaration. The bar was closed and the patrons dispersed. ABLE, the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission, is also investigating the incident. Officials said while the Enid Police Department encourages voluntary compliance with regulations of the Emergency Declaration, repeated violations will result in an escalation of enforcement and could even result in arrest.

 

                                            --00--  01  April  20  1p

 

UD)--Enid Mayor George Pankonin signed an updated emergency declaration Tuesday. Amendments to the previous emergency declaration included quarantine requirements for visitors from select states, a focus on reducing community spread and a Municipal fine of $500 for those found in violation of the established restrictions. Enid City Manager Jerald Gilbert said it is not the city’s desire to fine businesses or people, but those who refuse to voluntarily abide by the restrictions could face the consequences. The declarations and regulations shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on April 30, 2020, unless and until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing. The full emergency declaration can be found on the city website at: www.Enid.org/coronavirus. 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--  01  April  20  1p

 

CF)--Oklahoma’s 2020 candidate filing period for federal, state, and legislative offices will occur as scheduled, Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax announced. The three-day filing period runs 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on April 8, 9, and 10. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Secretary is encouraging candidates for federal, state, and legislative offices to file their paperwork, along with the required filing fee or petition, by mail or delivery service. Candidates who file in-person will do so using a “drive-through” in the State Capitol parking lot. The “drive-through” will help maintain social distancing protocols in an effort to minimize risks to Election Board personnel and candidates. Candidates should visit the State Election Board’s website at elections.ok.gov for specific details about candidate filing. Candidate filing for county offices will also be held April 8, 9, and 10 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Candidates should contact their County Election Board for specific filing instructions.

 

                                            --00--  01  April  20  5p

 

LF)--Loaves & Fishes of Northwest Oklahoma will continue to distribute boxes of food during the COVID-19 health crisis. “Loaves & Fishes has made the decision to move to boxed food distribution,” Executive Director Lydia Kelley said. “In an effort to create fewer social interactions, pre-packed boxes of food will be handed out in a drive-thru setting in our parking lot. Normal shopping in our pantry will temporarily stop, and boxes will be the sole way of food distribution until the risk of infection has passed, but Loaves & Fishes NWOK will still aim to provide fresh produce, meat and dairy items to our clients.” The drive-through, 701 E. Maine, will be open 3:00-6:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. “Loaves & Fishes NWOK would like to assure our clients that we have plenty of food,” Kelley said. “With ongoing support from the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, we are confident that we can continue providing assistance. To receive food, clients need to bring a photo ID and proof of residency in our service area. We also need to have IDs and/or documentation for each person living in the household.” Information about documentation needed can be found on the organization’s website at www.loaves andfishesnwok.org. “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 a small staff tasked with overseeing distribution, we will likely need 15 to 20 volunteers each day.” If you are able to volunteer, call Loaves & Fishes at (580) 540-9830.

 

                                            --00--  01  April  20  5p

 

ES)--Enid Public Schools is asking parents and guardians of elementary school students who need a device for online learning to complete a survey by April 3. The survey is an attempt to determine the technology needs of the district's students for upcoming distance learning coursework. All Oklahoma schools have been ordered to develop distance learning lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic that has shuttered schools across the state and nation. District officials said EPS is uniquely positioned to take on the task of distance learning. All students have 1:1 devices, and all secondary students have free mobile Wi-Fi hotspots. We know, however, that technology-related gaps still remain in our district," an announcement on the district's webpage reads. "Currently, elementary devices are in school classrooms, rather than at home with students. We are exploring ways that we can safely distribute these devices to students who need them. To limit exposure to you and to our staff, if your child already has access to a device they can use for online instruction, please let them use that device instead of requesting one from the school. If you have an elementary student and would like to pick up a Chromebook for your family, you need to complete the survey by April 3," according to the announcement. The survey asks for students' names, ID numbers, school and homeroom teachers, as well as questions about internet access availability.  It will also allow you to indicate if you need assistance with internet access at home. The survey can be found at:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScU-DW6sH8GuvyBEQyBtp-HreQO8d_dXWuWGffhY7WViZr7vw/viewform?fbclid=IwAR39LX5JNDdH_RaC1J5zrnkwJClKn9lhkWn9QxMHtuSr3zpxbv_-AK9Sbt4

 

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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-- 

SM)— Enid Public Schools has changed distribution of free meals to children under the age of 18 on Wednesday. Beginning Wednesday, breakfast and lunch pickup will be 10:00-11:30 a.m. at Garfield, Glenwood, Enid High and New View Apartments. Due to US Department of Agriculture guidelines, students must be present in the car to receive a meal. Denny Price Family YMCA will continue to provide dinner 3:00-4:30 p.m.

 

                                                --00-- 

KR)--An Enid woman is joining a nationwide movement of volunteer sewers, who are making homemade masks as health care workers, the elderly and immunocompromised face shortages of masks amid the coronavirus pandemic. Kathy Ring, owner of Oklahoma Glass and Wallpaper of Enid, told Enid News and Eagle she has long enjoyed sewing, and decided to put her hobby to good use when she found out her nieces, who work in health care in Tulsa, were working without masks, because there were none to be had.  Ring said she searched online for a pattern and started sewing and sending masks to her nieces. Ring said it takes about an hour to make one mask, start to finish, but had managed to make over 100 by Friday afternoon. Integris Bass Baptist Health Center is accepting homemade masks, and they recommend a pattern found online at https://tinyurl.com/EnidFaceMasks. A video tutorial to make masks also is available online at https://tinyurl.com/MaskTutorial-Enid.

 

                                               --00-- 

HA)--St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center and INTEGRIS Bass Baptist Health Center are searching for local companies that have made or have the capability of making 70% or greater isopropyl alcohol, Glycerol 98%, Hydrogen Peroxide 3%, Ethanol 96%, protective masks, gloves or impermeable gowns, cleaning wipes (alcohol or PDI). Healthcare workers are utilizing their personal protective equipment at record rate due to concerns surrounding the COVID 19 virus. If you have 3D printers in your business and could potentially make clear plastic face shields, this would be helpful to know as well. Our Enid hospitals are also able to take any unopened containers of any of the above items. For more information or to donate, please contact Jon Blankenship at the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce at jon@enidchamber.com or 580-237-2494.

 

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