VN)--In an effort to prevent further spread of coronavirus on military installations, Vance Air Force Base joined all other U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense bases in elevating its Health Protection Condition (HPCON) on Thursday. The move was made in accordance with an order from Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to raise the HPCON on all Department of Defense installations to HPCON Charlie. Vance previously had been at HPCON Bravo. As of Thursday morning, Vance reported zero confirmed COVID-19 cases at the base. Charlie is the second-highest HPCON condition for Department of Defense facilities, which range from Alpha to Delta.

 

Effective Thursday, Vance has implemented the following measures:

 

• Potential health screening at gates and medical facilities

• Maximizing social distancing

• Ensuring group activities include less than 10 personnel

 

                                     --00--  26  Mar  20  12n

 

CV)--The death toll and the number of COVID-19 cases continue to climb in Oklahoma, as seven people have now died after contracting the virus, according to figures released Thursday by Oklahoma State Department of Health. The number of cases increased from 164 on Wednesday to 248 on Thursday, with 86 hospitalizations. There have been 958 who have tested negative for coronavirus COVID-19 in the state. Deaths of those having testing positive for COVID-19 have occurred in Cleveland, Oklahoma, Pawnee and Oklahoma counties.

 

COVID-19 Oklahoma Test Results 03/26/20
Positive (In-State)	248
Positive (Out-of-State)	2
Negative*	958
Hospitalized	86
Deaths	7

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

 

County	COVID-19 Cases by County*	Deaths
Adair	2	0
Bryan	1	0
Canadian	6	0
Carter	1	0
Cleveland	39	3
Comanche	3	0
Craig	1	0
Creek	10	0
Custer	3	0
Delaware	1	0
Garvin	2	0
Grady	2	0
Jackson	1	0
Kay	11	0
Lincoln	1	0
Logan	3	0
Mayes	2	0
McClain	2	0
Muskogee	4	0
Noble	2	0
Oklahoma	73	2
Okmulgee	2	0
Osage	3	0
Ottawa	1	0
Pawnee	10	1
Payne	5	0
Pontotoc	1	0
Pottawatomie	2	0
Sequoyah	1	0
Stephens	1	0
Tulsa	41	1
Wagoner	6	0
Washington	5	0
Total	248	7

                                   

                                       --00--  26  Mar  20  12n

 

FD)--As health experts continue to encourage Oklahomans to stay inside amid the spread of a corona virus, officials say the state is still being affected by the flu virus. Officials with the Oklahoma State Department of Health announced this week that 88 Oklahoma patients had been hospitalized with the flu, bringing the total number of hospitalizations to nearly 3400 since Sept. 1. Also, health experts say the death toll associated with the flu virus rose, bringing the total number of deaths in Oklahoma to 75 since the flu season began in September.

 

                                       --00--  26  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.

 

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DL)--The State Board of Education today approved a plan to keep school buildings closed for the remainder of the school year and implement a distance learning plan. On Monday, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister announced a “continuous learning plan” that if approved would take effect April 6. Amid fears of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Hofmeister said it’s imperative education not take a back seat. The continuous learning plan will provide a framework for age appropriate learning. This could include phone calls and check-ins between students and teachers. Enid Public Schools is in the process of developing its protocols that will be used.  Some schools, including Oklahoma Bible Academy, have already started distance learning.  

 

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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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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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UP)--The City of Enid has announced it will suspend all utility disconnects temporarily through April 13. At the end of the period, the process will be reevaluated. Officials urge all utility customers to pay as much as they are able on their utility bills to keep from falling too far behind. The City will also waive any late payment penalties incurred from March 23 through April 13. Customers may be placed on a deferred payment plan, ensuring that service is not interrupted. Customer service representatives will work with customers to develop a long-term plan that meets the customer’s financial needs. Customers that are unable to pay their utility bills during this time period due to COVID-19 related reasons, please contact customer service at (580)-616-7170.

Utility payments can be made the following ways:

• By Phone: (580) 616-7271, 580-616-7272, or 580-616-7273.
• By Mail: City of Enid, P.O. Box 1768, Enid, OK 73702.
• By City Drop Box: The City dropbox is located in front of City Administration Building, Martin Luther King, Jr. Municipal Complex, 401 W Owen K. Garriott Road, Enid, OK.
• Online: 
• www.XpressBillPay.com

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

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

• SeeClickFix – Request Services or Report Issues – Enid.org/RequestCenter.
• Search Traffic Cases – Enid.org/citations
• Traffic Fine Payments – Enid.org/fines
• Utility Payments – www.xpressbillpay.com

 

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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BP)--The 15th annual HANOR Smokin’ Red Dirt BBQ, traditionally held downtown the last weekend in April has been rescheduled to August due to health concerns amid the COVID-19 state emergency and global pandemic. The event has been rescheduled to August 7-8, 2020, according to organizer and promoter Eagle Marketing. The Kansas City Barbecue Society, which sanctions the event; cooking teams; and judges have been alerted to the change.

 

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BL)--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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