CV)— The Oklahoma State Department of Health late this morning reported 597 new coronavirus cases across the state, bringing the total cumulative number of the state’s positive cases to 49,923. Seventeen additional deaths were reported today. Officials said there have been 4,192 total hospitalizations, and that 566 people are currently hospitalized.
There have been 656 positive COVID-19 cases, and nine deaths in Garfield County. 612 of those cases and all nine deaths have been in Enid. In surrounding counties: Kingfisher County has reported 171 cases, Blaine County is at 46 cases, Major 38, Grant 17, and Alfalfa 6.
COVID-19 Oklahoma Test Results
08.19.20
|
Confirmed Positive Cases |
49,923 |
|
*Total Cumulative Negative Specimens to Date |
732,817 |
|
*Total Cumulative Number of Specimens to Date |
791,944 |
|
*Currently Hospitalized |
566 |
|
Total Cumulative Hospitalizations |
4,192 |
|
Identified Deaths in the Past 24 hours |
4 |
|
Total Cumulative Deaths |
699 |
*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 2020-08-19 at 7:00 a.m.
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MS)--Two individuals have now been charged, and a third arrested in the robbery and shooting death of Enid man at a local residence earlier this month. Court documents filed in two cases of first-degree murder, burglary and robbery with a dangerous weapon reveal a teen beat a 38-year-old Nestor Garcia Ramirez with a hammer before shooting him in the chest. According to the Enid News and Eagle, 26 year old Dorhee Ventura Wofford of Enid, and 17 year old Navaeh Emerlro Don Hill of Oklahoma City, were charged Friday in Garfield County District Court with first-degree murder, first-degree burglary and robbery with a dangerous weapon in the death of Ramirez August 3 at a residence in the 1900 block of East Walnut. Bond had been denied for both. The third suspect, 25 year-old Courtney Flowers, as known as Courtney Sherrill, was arrested earlier this month on complaints of first-degree murder, first-degree burglary and child endangerment, but no charges have been filed.
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CP)--Enid Public Schools announced Tuesday evening a district employee has tested positive for COVID-19. "While we must protect the privacy of the person involved, we believe it is best to communicate transparently with you so you can make well-informed decisions for your family," Superintendent Darrell Floyd said in a message to district patrons. "We are working directly with county health officials to address this situation, and they have indicated that we need to inform you: If you have visited Central Kitchen at 519 S. Washington between Monday, August 10 and Friday, August 14, you may have been exposed to COVID-19. We want to assure families that at no time was food service or food preparation at risk of COVID transmission." Officials said EPS will continue to follow COVID-related safety procedures, including wearing face coverings, social distancing when possible and keeping surfaces and areas cleaned before and after use.
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CC)--The Enid Mayor and Board of Commissioners met Tuesday night in special session. Commissioners unanimously tabled a vote setting one of two dates for Ward Three City Commissioner Ben Ezzell’s recall election until after his hearing next month protesting the petition’s sufficiency, effectively leaving February 9, 2021, as the only other viable election date. Feb. 9 is the same day an election will take place for Ezzell’s successor. His term expires in May 2021. The recall election would function as a regular ward race. As incumbent, Ezzell would appear on the ballot, along with any challengers who file for candidacy Dec. 7-9. The recall winner would hold the seat until May, when the elected replacement would be sworn in. Ezzell filed a suit on Monday and will appear in Garfield County District Court Sept. 8 before an assigned judge to protest the sufficiency of the petition’s 204 signatures. The group Enid Freedom Fighters submitted the petition to the city Aug. 4, which City Clerk Alissa Lack certified Aug. 7 as meeting the minimum requirements to hold an election.
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BS)--Oklahoma Blood Institute faces an immediate need for donors of all blood types. All healthy adults are strongly urged to donate blood as soon as possible at their nearest Oklahoma Blood Institute donor center or mobile blood drive. All donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. Appointments are preferred to help with social distancing, but walk-ins will be accepted as schedules allow. CDC guidelines will be followed at all donor centers and mobile drives. Donors may visit obi.org or call 877-340-8777 to schedule their appointment now at Oklahoma Blood Institute’s Enid donor center located at 301 E. Cherokee.
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DI)--August 28th and 29th the Stride Bank Center and Chisholm Trail Expo Center present Enid's Wheels and Reels, a series of movies being played at Garfield County Fairgrounds, where you are able to social distance and see movies on the big screen! Just like the drive-ins of the past, movies will be viewed from your vehicle. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under. August 28th will be Shreck, and on the 29th you can see Grease.
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AM)--United Way of Enid and Northwest Oklahoma will host its annual meeting and awards ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 21 in in the Grand Ballroom of Stride Bank Center. The meeting will feature lunch, special presentations, the 2019-20 campaign totals and the announcement from the 2020-21 campaign chairs. Funds raised through the United Way of Enid & Northwest Oklahoma’s campaign go to support 15 nonprofit member agencies. Several individuals will receive special recognition during the Aug. 21 event, including Tocqueville Society Leadership Awards, certificates of recognition and achievements, and the 2020 recipient of the Dick Lambertz Memorial Award. The cost to attend is $35 per person or $300 for a table for eight. Friday is the deadline to RSVP for event. For information and tickets, call Kim at the United Way office at (580) 237-0821 or email kim@unitedwayenid.org.
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