TULSA, Okla. — Oklahoma's increase in COVID-19 cases is putting a strain on local hospitals.
Tulsa County reached tier threeof the Oklahoma State Department of Health's hospital surge plan Thursday.
“This is a bad sign for Tulsa County and it’s a bad sign for our state," said Dr. George Monks, president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association. "We’re heading in the wrong direction.”
To be in tier three, there must be 20 to 39 percent of COVID patients in staffed beds for three consecutive days. That number has been about 20 to 21.6 percent in Tulsa County since Tuesday.
Dr. Monks said emergency rooms are packed and hospitals will now start implementing their own internal hospital surge plan.
“ICU beds are very hard to find," Dr. Monks said. "Really any bed is hard to find. And so, if you have another medical condition, it just makes things a little tighter for the hospitals.”
With tier three, elective surgeries could be reduced or put on hold. Dr. Monks is encouraging everyone to get their flu shot and do their part to ease the spread of the virus.
“It’s a further reminder that we’ve gotta all pitch in and work on this virus together," Dr. Monks said. "Everyone needs to wear a mask when you go out in public, maintain that physical distancing, wash your hands frequently.”
Tulsa County is now one of six out of eight regions in the state to reach tier three.
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