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KGWA Local News Tuesday

 

GS)--Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday announced further restrictions to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Oklahoma. Stitt issued a “safer at home” order for vulnerable Oklahomans to stay at home until April 30, except for essential travels, such as going to the grocery stores or going to the pharmacy. Stitt said he’s issuing an executive order, effective as of midnight, banning all gatherings of 10 or more people across the state. In addition, he’s issuing a 14-day suspension of all elective surgeries, minor medical procedures and non-emergency dental procedures. Stitt announced the state will immediately suspend all visitation to nursing home and long-term care facilities. For the 19 counties where positive COVID-19 cases have been reported, Stitt announced that:

 

  • All non-essential businesses must close by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday and remain closed for 21 days. These include businesses with close contact or personal touch, such as hair salons, gyms, massage parlors, tattoo parlors, etc.
  • Restaurants are encouraged to remain open while offering curbside/delivery

                                              --00--  24  Mar  20  4p

 

DL)--Enid Public Schools is developing a plan to provide distance learning for students after it was announced Monday that State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister will recommend schools remain closed for the rest of the semester as the state continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The state Board of Education will meet Wednesday morning to make the decision on the continuous learning plan official. "We are sharing this information with you in advance, however, so that you can begin to prepare accordingly for your family," EPS Superintendent Darrell Floyd said in a message to parents. "We understand this recommendation is in the best interest of everyone’s health, which is our greatest priority as a district. If approved, this also means that all extracurricular activities and special events will be canceled as well. Making these difficult decisions, we believe, is simply the right thing to do for our students, our staff and our community." EPS now will develop a plan on how to implement distance learning, so stay tuned.

 

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CR)--Oklahoma Bible Academy will begin delivering coursework online starting Wednesday.

The decision to offer coursework online was made ahead of Monday’s recommendation from Oklahoma State Superintendent of Schools Joy Hofmeister that Oklahoma schools go to distance learning for the rest of the school year. OBA Parents were notified of the plan to pivot to online learning in an email sent out from school administrators Thursday. Teachers returned to the school on Monday to receive training on how to deliver distance learning opportunities through the school’s Google Classroom platform. Teachers were divided into small groups so no more than 10 faculty members were present at a time. While teachers and staff will be able to work either from home or from the school building, the school will remain closed to all students, families and other members of the community.

 

                                              --00--  24  Mar  20  10a     

 

SM)— Enid Public Schools will change 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--  24  Mar  20  3p  

 

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.

 

                                              --00--  24  Mar  20  10a

 

SL)--Starting this afternoon, the signal lights at the intersection of West Willow and North Van Buren will be shut down for electrical maintenance. When the signals are powered down, the intersection will operate as a 4-way stop. Crews hope to have the maintenance completed by the end of the week, weather permitting. Residents are reminded to drive with caution in the area. 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--  24  Mar  20  10a

 

SW)--City of Enid officials announced today the adjustment in several city services:

 

  • Recycle center will be closed till further notice
  • Solid waste bulk orders are cancelled till further notice
  • City landfill hours will be Monday through Friday, 7AM to 6PM; closed on Saturdays

 

                                              --00--  24  Mar  20  3p

 

CV)--One person has died of the coronavirus in Cleveland County, marking the first death in the Oklahoma City metro area from COVID-19, state health officials reported Tuesday. The total number of cases in Oklahoma is now at 106, which went up by 25 from Monday. Three total deaths have been reported in Oklahoma. The other deaths were reported in Tulsa and Pawnee counties. The Cleveland County death was of a woman in her 60s. The other two deaths were of men in their 50s.  The virus has spread to 19 counties in the state.

 

 

 

COVID-19 Oklahoma Test Results

03/24/20

Positive (In-State)

106

Positive (Out-of-State)

2

Negative*

735

Hospitalized

25

Deaths

3

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

 

                                              --00--  24  Mar  20  2p

 

ED)--Mayor George Pankonin has signed an emergency declaration for the city of Enid.

 

The following regulations will go into effect Saturday, March 21 11:59PM:

  • Social gatherings of more than ten are prohibited.
  • Religious services are limited to gatherings of ten or less.
  • Public restaurants are limited to drive through, take out, or delivery options.
  • Bars, gyms, exercise facilities, miniature golf, bowling alleys, arcades, skating rinks, and movie theatres are closed to the public.

 

The regulations will expire April 13, 2020, at 11:59pm unless extended.

 

Mayor George Pankonin said, “After much research, thought and discussion, I have decided to take our Emergency proclamation to the inevitable next step. It would be irresponsible to hold off until someone is critically ill or deceased in our city to make this tough decision.” 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.

 

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CR)--The City of Enid is taking further precautions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to minimize the potential community spread of the virus.  Beginning Thursday, March 19 the City Administration building will be closed to the public, however, employees will continue to provide essential services to serve the public.

 

Residents are encouraged to utilize services online, by phone, by mail, by drop box, or by email. For services that require in-person communication, contact the department for an appointment time and date.  See a staff listing at www.enid.org/staff and for a department listing www.enid.org/contactus.

 

Municipal court will continue at regular times and dates, but appearances will occur by telephone or by other remote means.

 

Additionally, the Stride Bank Center, Senior Center and RSVP are closed to the public. Staff will continue to work in those facilities to provide services to the public. Mobile meals will continue to be provided.

 

In accordance with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, all events or community gatherings more than 10 people should be cancelled or postponed through the end of the current emergency declaration on April 13, 2020.  This declaration may be extended further based on the future situation. Individual businesses in Enid are taking proactive steps, following the CDC guidelines.

 

City Service Online

 

City Service by Phone (8AM – 5PM, Monday thru Friday)

  • PAYMENTS: Pay utilities, traffic fines, and permits by phone: (580) 616-7271, 580-616-7272, or 580-616-7273.
  • Contact Utility Services at: (580) 616-7170.

 

City Service by Mail

  • The City’s mailing address is: City of Enid, P.O. Box 1768, Enid, OK 73702.

 

City Service by City Drop Box

  • The City drop box is located in front of City Administration Building, Martin Luther King, Jr. Municipal Complex, 401 W Owen K. Garriott Road, Enid, OK.

 

City Service by Email

  • Email addresses for each department are listed on the online staff directory: www.Enid.org/staff.

 

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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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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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.

 

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