TULSA, Okla. — Governor Kevin Stitt along with members of the Governor's Solution Task Force held a news conference today on the State's response to COVID-19.
The news conference covered information on the latest modeling information, comprehensive hospital surge plan and other updates about the State's response.
The governor says he is preparing the state for potential hospital surges, making sure Oklahoma is equip with enough hospital beds, supplies, ICU beds, and ventilators if needed.
The state has currently tested 22,000 individuals, and they now have 70 mobile tests set up across the state for individuals looking to be tested.
The governor emphasized he's working with medical professionals across the state to ensure hospitals have enough beds and supplies to be prepared for emergencies in the coming weeks.
“We are projected to need 195 ventilators at our peak," Governor Stitt said. "But Oklahoma, we are very well prepared our team has been searching around the globe for more ventilators and we have almost 18 times, 1800 total ventilators in the state of Oklahoma.”
The President of the Oklahoma Hospital Association says ventilators are by far the most essential need at this time.
As they keep track of the resources for COVID-19 patients, they will ensure hospitals across the state have everything they need.
“We will keep patients in the region to the capable region if all possible, if additional care is needed in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, that will be managed by the TREK which is the Trauma Triage Referral Center,” Patty Davis said.
The Oklahoma Medical Center is one of two locations in Oklahoma that will be used should hospitals reach maximum peaks, there will be another location in Oklahoma City that officials say will be announced soon.
Governor Stitt also explained that anyone looking to get tested shouldn't be turned away, regardless of age, symptoms, or finances.
He urges any medical professional turning potential COVID-19 patients away should be reported to the Governor's office.
If you are looking to be tested, call 211 and someone will direct you to the nearest mobile testing site, officials say you will receive test results within seven business days.
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