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Local News with J. Curtis Huckleberry

KGWA Local News Thursday

 

LT)--The Garfield County Health Department will host a drive-through testing clinic 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friday at Chisholm Trail Expo Center, 111 W. Purdue. Supplies are limited and tests will focus on individuals at highest risk. In order to be tested you must be 18 years old or older, and have fever greater than 100.4 degrees, and a cough or shortness of breath. Only one person per household will be tested, and only one person per vehicle will be tested. The Health Department advises people to not come for testing if they have been in contact with a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 14 days. The testing clinic is offered in partnership with the city of Enid, Enid and Garfield County Emergency Management, Garfield County Sheriff's Office, Life EMS and other community partners. The clinic may close earlier than planned, depending on the availability of supplies. 

 

CV)--The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported that as of today, 879 Oklahomans have tested positive for the coronavirus, included 4 in Garfield County, and 34 people have died. Officials said 1,265 Oklahomans have tested negative and 257 people have been hospitalized. Officials noted that negative testing results are only from the State Public Health Laboratory and do not include private laboratory negative results.

 

COVID-19 Oklahoma Test Results

04/02/20

Positive (In-State)

879

Positive (Out-of-State)

2

Negative*

1265

Hospitalized

257

Deaths

34

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

 

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DL)--With distance learning classes beginning Monday, April 6 Enid Public Schools has established a Distance Learning Hub for parents/guardians and students. The site's homepage, https://www.enidpublicschools.org/266650_2, features a letter from Superintendent Darrell Floyd and links to overviews, lesson plans, contact information and frequently asked questions. The site also includes a countdown clock for when distance learning will begin. The superintendent said finishing the school year will take cooperation between EPS, parents/guardians and staff. "We understand that, like the traditional classroom, this learning plan cannot be a one-size-fits-all-approach," Floyd wrote. "While this is not how we expected to end the school year, we believe this plan will allow us to keep students on track while also protecting what is most important — their health and well-being.” The Site includes learning plans for elementary schools, each junior high school and Enid High School.

 

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LC)--Enid Police Chief Brian O'Rourke has closed the lobby of the department to limit person-to-person contact during the ongoing COVD-19 pandemic. The front door foyer remains open to the public. Inside the foyer is a phone with numbers to call to request a report or traffic accident, speak to an officer or to report a crime. John said traffic accident reports will be emailed to those who request them. He said conditional warnings and impound releases also will remain available. To contact the Enid Police Department by phone call (580) 242-7000. If there is an emergency, call 911. Tips also can be submitted to Garfield County Crime Stoppers at (580) 233-6233, text to 274637, typing “Enid” and a message in the text box or https://www.enid.org/services/police.

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CF)--The statewide candidate filing period begins at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, said Michael Frisbie, Secretary of the Garfield County Election Board. Filing will be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The deadline for filing as a candidate is 5:00 p.m. Friday, no exceptions. Candidates for state offices file with the Secretary of the State Election Board in Oklahoma City. Candidates for county offices file with the Secretary of the County Election Board. Frisbie said that the following county offices will be filled this year: County Commissioner District 2, County Court Clerk, County Clerk, and County Sheriff. ALL SOCIAL DISTANCING PRECAUTIONS WILL BE OBSERVED. For more election-related information, call the County Election Board at 580 237-6016, or visit www.elections.ok.gov.

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MH)--Youth & Family Services of North Central Oklahoma is offering a free mental health helpline to help people through the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and the social isolation that comes with it. "During the COVID-19 crisis, many people may find themselves on edge," said Tree Perkins, Youth and Family's director of development. "Routines have changed, children are home from school, families are cooped up, and many have or will experience job loss. With all of these worries looming, we know that this can be scary and overwhelming time." With help from a grant from United Way of Enid and Northwest Oklahoma, Youth & Family Services is offering the free helpline for "those who may be experiencing anxiety, sadness, fear, or perhaps just a need to hear a friendly voice," Perkins said. Anyone in need can call the helpline at (866) 324-2085. The helpline will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. If the helpline goes to voicemail, callers should leave a message with their name and phone number, and Youth & Family will call them back as soon as possible.

 

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OS)--Gov. Kevin Stitt 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.

 

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UD)--Enid Mayor George Pankonin signed an updated emergency declaration March 31. 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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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