CV)--Seventeen new virus-related deaths and 1,101 new coronavirus cases were reported in the state since Tuesday, according to daily numbers released late this morning by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. A total of 40,564 Oklahomans have tested positive for COVID-19 and the total number of deaths is up to 583.A total of 3,445 Oklahomans have been hospitalized due to the virus with 645 patients currently in the hospital.
There have been 389 (+7) positive COVID-19 cases, and four deaths in Garfield County. 362 (+6) of those cases have been in Enid. In surrounding counties: Noble has reported 83 cases, Kingfisher County has reported 114 cases, Blaine County is at 39 cases, Major 26, Grant 12, and Alfalfa 3.
COVID-19 Oklahoma Test Results
08.05.20
|
Confirmed Positive Cases |
40,564 |
|
*Total Cumulative Negative Specimens to Date |
624,166 |
|
*Total Cumulative Number of Specimens to Date |
671,712 |
|
**Currently Hospitalized |
645 |
|
Total Cumulative Hospitalizations |
3,445 |
|
Identified Deaths in the Past 24 hours |
1 |
|
Total Cumulative Deaths |
583 |
*The total includes laboratory information provided to OSDH at the time of the report. Total counts may not reflect unique individuals. Data Source: Acute Disease Service, Oklahoma State Department of Health. As of 2020-08-05 at 7:00 a.m.
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NM)--Enid City Commissioners Tuesday night voted down a proposed and amended emergency declaration directing the city of Enid to adopt the Oklahoma Department of Health’s color-coded, four-tiered COVID-19 alert system. The proposal included a public mask mandate. The vote was 4 to 3 against the proposal, with Commissioners Ben Ezzell, Derwin Norwood, and Jonathan Wadell voting for it.
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DW)--The Garfield County Sheriff's Office arrested a 42-year-old Enid man early Monday morning on complaints of drug and firearms possession following an incident with a woman at his home on Imo Road. The Department said deputies responded late Sunday night to the 2300 block of South Imo Road, west of Enid. The woman reportedly said she had an altercation with 42 year-old Miguel Rodriguez, a convicted felon, at the residence. When she tried to leave in her vehicle, Rodriguez allegedly jumped on the hood of the car and beat the windshield and driver's side window with a gun. The woman told deputies where several firearms were in a safe inside the residence and that Rodriguez was a convicted felon. Deputies obtained a search warrant for the residence on Imo and with assistance from Enid Police Department, served the search warrant at the home and took Rodriguez into custody. Deputies reportedly seized 26 firearms, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition and 13 grams of methamphetamine found inside the home. Rodriguez was booked on complaints of possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm after former felony conviction and has posted bond on those charges.
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ER)--Over the weekend, voters from Enid's Ward 3 gathered enough signatures to request an election to recall City Commissioner Ben Ezzell. Over 200 signatures were recorded on a petition requesting an election to recall Ezzell submitted to the Enid City Clerk on Tuesday morning. City Attorney Carol Lahman told the Enid News and Eagle the recall will likely be on the November ballot, but the signatures need to be verified, and time is short. Ezzell has come under fire for his proposals for a mandatory mask mandate, and a widely circulated city email criticizing Enid Police Chief Bryan O'Rourke.
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EQ)--A 3.1 magnitude earthquake was reported this morning about 15 miles southwest of Enid. The earthquake’s epicenter was located nearly four miles northeast of Ames in Major County, and reportedly the area just after 5:00 this morning.
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SW)--OG&E is warning customers of potential scams targeting some customers by phone and e-mail. Scammers have reportedly been targeting OG&E customers by phone and email, saying they work for OG&E. The company said it will never: ask for payment over the phone; demand you pay a bill with a pre-paid debit card; ask to meet us somewhere to make a bill payment; tell you that we will come to your home or business to collect payment in cash; ask for your bank information over the phone; or ask for a credit card number over the phone. If you are unsure about your bill being past due, you can sign in to your oge.com account to see if you have a balance, or call the company and talk with a customer service representative at (800) 272-9741. Scam calls can be reported to Federal Trade Commission, state consumer protection agency or local law enforcement agency.
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BS)--A new survey of business leaders released Monday suggests the economy continues to recover in nine Midwest and Plains states, including Oklahoma. But businesses are still cutting jobs amid the ongoing impact of the coronavirus outbreak. The overall index for the region improved to 57.4 in July from June’s 50.3. Anything above 50 indicates growth.
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SS)--Secondary parents and students are asked to mark their calendars for Enid Public Schools’ schedule and mask pick-up. Secondary schools will have pick-up at the following times:
Enid High School
9th Grade August 7 1-4 p.m. (Freshman Orientation will be a later date)
10th Grade August 7 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
11th Grade August 6 1-4 p.m.
12th Grade August 6 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Middle Schools
6th Grade August 7 8-11 a.m.
7th Grade August 7 1-4 p.m.
8th Grade August 7 1-4 p.m.
Students will report to their respective schools to pick up their schedules and masks. EPS will host a Meet the Teacher day on August 11 for new students, returning students will meet their teachers virtually through google classroom. Visit enidpublicschools.org for information about going back to school. Classes begin on August 13.
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PS)--Due to the COVID 19 Safety Protocol put out by the Oklahoma State Department of Health and adopted by the Enid Public School Board of Education the District has opted to go to an alternate A/B Schedule (while in Orange Level 1) to reduce the number of individuals in school buildings and ensure the opportunity for greater social distancing. In this scenario, students will only attend school in person on their assigned days. Starting school with an A/B schedule allows the district to accomplish the following:
· Reduce by half the number of students in school buildings and on buses to better ensure social distancing.
· Keep class sizes more manageable for teachers who will have numerous new procedures and safety precautions to learn and execute.
· Ensure time in the classroom for students to collaborate face-to-face on projects and lab activities.
· Provide elementary students crucial face-to-face instruction on the new learning management system appropriate to their grade level.
An A/B schedule involves splitting each school site’s student population into an A and B group. The initial split will be those students with the last name A-L being on the A schedule and M-Z on the B schedule. Due to the impossibility of equalizing all classes at all grade levels based on this one criteria, it will be imperative that building level administrators have the discretion to adjust the initial placement if needed. Attention will be given to ensure students from the same family/household are assigned the same days. As it stands right now, for the first two days of school, Thursday, August 13th, will be A day and Friday, August 14th, will be a B day. The new OSDH numbers come out each Friday, and EPS will send out updated parent notifications by the end of the day on Fridays (for the following week). If on Friday, August 7, Garfield County reverts back to the Yellow Level, students will attend in person on August 13 and 14 (no alternate schedule if we are in the Yellow Level). If Garfield County remains in Orange Level 1 on Friday, August 14th, the weekly A/B alternative schedule will be:
Group A
Monday and Tuesday In person, at school
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Remote Learning
Group B
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Remote Learning
Thursday and Friday In person, at school
You can find a map of Oklahoma counties that is updated to reflect COVID-19 cases every Friday at https://coronavirus.health.ok.gov/covid-19-alert-system. You will also find definitions of what the different levels mean with additional resources. EPS will continue to update families weekly on any changes reported from the OSDH.
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IC)--Enid Public Schools has canceled planned immunization clinics for students due to a rise in the number of COVID-19 across the state. According to a statement on the district's website, www.enidpublicschools.org, due to the increase in the state Passport Health and the Oklahoma Caring Van have cancelled the upcoming immunization clinics for this year. Students who are needing immunizations will need to go to the Garfield County Health Department or their personal health care provider prior to school starting Aug. 13. The Health Department is allowing one parent/guardian, with a mask, to be present with the student. No appointment needed.
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LB)--The Enid Public Library, in partnership with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and Loaves & Fishes, will be offering Lunch Bunch each week, Monday through Friday through August 14. Lunches will be served from noon to 1:00 p.m. behind Mercy House (located at 1714 S 4th Street) to anyone up to 18 years old. For more information about this and other programs, visit the library’s website at enid.okpls.org. The Enid Public library is located at 120 W Maine, Enid, OK 73701.
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