CC)-- Enid Mayor George Pankonin canceled Thursday’s special meeting, reversing his plan for city commissioners to vote for the third time on a citywide mask mandate. Pankonin said any proposed mask mandate will not move forward in a video on the city of Enid’s Facebook, adding this matter has been settled. Pankonin said he decided to cancel the special meeting he announced on Tuesday because he didn’t believe the rest of the commissioners supported a mandate for various reasons and said he wouldn't put the declaration forward if he knew it wouldn’t pass. The city commission has twice voted down two previous proposals that would have mandated masks. Enid and Garfield County currently report an average 36.8 daily new positive cases per 100,000 a week. Residents in counties in this moderate-risk “Orange” level are recommended to wear face coverings in public and maintain 6 feet of physical distance apart.
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CA)--The Enid City Commission Tuesday night approved a resolution concerning federal funding related to COVID-19, and addressed a number of regular business items. City Manager Jerald Gilbert said Enid anticipates receiving $3.8 million more in relief funds from the state’s apportionment of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In order to receive this full funding, commissioners voted to confirm the policy of the city that all public safety personnel costs are “substantially dedicated” to the city’s COVID-19 response efforts. Such city funds will assist in payroll expenses between March 1 and Oct. 31.
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CV)— Twelve new virus-related deaths and 719 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 60,118 Oklahomans have tested positive for COVID-19 and the total number of deaths increased to 821. The health department said 8,651 cases are considered active in the state. A total of 4,961 Oklahomans have been hospitalized due to the virus with 545 Oklahomans are currently in the hospital.
There have been 1027 positive COVID-19 cases, and 12 deaths in Garfield County. 966 of those cases and all 12 deaths have been in Enid. Currently, Garfield County is in a "moderate risk" or Orange Level 2 category as defined by the OSDH. In surrounding counties: Kingfisher County has reported 264 cases, Blaine County is at 74 cases, Major 53, Grant 27, and Alfalfa 14.
COVID-19 Oklahoma Test Results
09.02.20
|
Confirmed Positive Cases |
60,118 |
|
*Total Cumulative Negative Specimens to Date |
833,124 |
|
*Total Cumulative Number of Specimens to Date |
904,600 |
|
**Currently Hospitalized |
545 |
|
Total Cumulative Hospitalizations |
4,961 |
|
Identified Deaths in the Past 24 hours |
1 |
|
Total Cumulative Deaths |
821 |
*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 2020-09-02 at 7:00 a.m.
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NM)--Within a couple of weeks, Oklahoma health officials said people can expect to see higher daily numbers of published positive COVID-19 cases because they hope to be publishing positive COVID cases based on three different indicators. Since they’ve been in use, state officials have been counting and reporting rapid antigen capture tests to the CDC, but they haven’t been publishing them on the COVID-19 dashboard available to the public. That’s because, until recently, they were considered probable cases until confirmed by a PCR swab test. The Oklahoma State Department of Health is in the process of updating its reporting system. When it’s finished, state officials will begin reporting the positive antigen tests along with the rest of the positive daily cases.
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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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RW)--Ron White LIVE has been rescheduled again, this time for late summer of 2021. Stride Bank Center officials say the popular comedian will be on stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. He originally was scheduled to perform in Enid in April when it was rescheduled to October due to the coronavirus pandemic. Promoters ultimately decided to cancel the performance this year. Tickets for the original and rescheduled performances will be honored for the 2021 show. Tickets range from $40 to $70 and can be purchased at StrideBankCenter.com, (855) 849-3643 (TIX.ENID) or at the Stride Bank Center Box Office. Upcoming shows at Stride Bank Center include Pink Floyd Laser Phenomenon on Sept. 17 and For King & Country, Oct. 29.
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AF)--The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center has opened a new exhibit titled American Farmer. The exhibit showcases 45 images selected from the works of photographer Paul Mobley. As he traveled across the United States, Mobley set out to capture the soul of the country’s farm communities by highlighting enduring rural traditions, family, integrity, close connections to the land, and hard work. The resulting images are a series of portraits of farmers in their local settings, exploring how their day-to-day work affects the greater world. American Farmer will be on exhibit at the Heritage Center through October 20. Visitors to the Heritage Center will need to maintain social distancing throughout the galleries, and are required to wear face masks during their visit. The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is located a 507 S. Fourth St. in Enid. For more information, please call 580-237-1907 or visit www.csrhc.org.
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OC)—The local drive-in concert featuring contemporary Christian duo King&Country has been postponed. The concert, original scheduled for August 26, will now be in concert, 8:00 p.m. October 29th in the parking lot at Chisholm Trail Expo Center on the Garfield County Fairgrounds. Spectra Venue Management, Stride Bank Center and Chisholm Trail Expo Center are teaming up for the drive-in concert experience. Gates will open at 6:00 p.m. and the concert will begin at 8:00. Ticket prices will be per vehicle, with a maximum of five people per vehicle, and are $160, $210 and $310. Parking will be general admission within the designated price levels. Tickets go on sale to the public 10 a.m. July 24 at stridebankcenter.com, Stride Bank Center Box Office or at 855-TIX-ENID.
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