TULSA — Officials with the Tulsa Health Department, City of Tulsa and Tulsa County provided a coronavirus update on Friday.
Dr. Dart started by saying there are 983 positive cases total in Tulsa County with 774 residents recovered and 51 deaths.
Dart said coronavirus averages are increasing and patients in hospitals are steadily increasing. There has been a marked increase since May 15. It is still manageable by hospitals.
Dr. Dart said free testing will be available in north Tulsa next Friday at the 36th Street North Event Center.
Phase 3 starts June 1, the guidelines can be found on the Tulsa Health Department website.
SEE MORE: State of Oklahoma's Open Up and Recover Safely plan
Dr. Dart said there have been reports of people knocking on doors pretending to be THD, and reminded the community that THD will not knock, they will call. Also, he added some community centers and WIC offices will start to reopen in June with measures in place.
I know many people in Tulsa County are 'over' COVID-19, but unfortunately COVID is not over.
State of Oklahoma meets the benchmarks to move forward into Phase 3, Bynum said. Tulsa also meets those benchmarks.
The key for Phase 3 is hospital capacity. Bynum said all hospital leaders assured him they have ample capacity.
Karen Keith began by speaking on the CARES Act and how the county is looking at a resolution for county employees to be poll workers for the June election as they need 800 poll workers.
WATCH County Commissioner Karen Keith's emotional plea to wear masks.
During the question and answer section of the news conference, Mayor G.T. Bynum was asked about the peaceful protests that are schedule for both Saturday and Sunday in Tulsa.
Bynum expressed he had no concerns about the upcoming protests stating this is a free country and part of that is having the freedom of speech.
Black Tulsans have not been the instigators of riots here, they are the victims of them. Let's keep that in mind as we are fretting on what may happen when we see things that are happening in other cities.
Bynum said he hopes that Tulsans can take a moment to reflect on what can happen when anger can lead to lawlessness and violence.
With Phase 3, the State says:
- Businesses can resume unrestricted staffing, recommended to continue cleaning and disinfecting
- Individuals should minimize time in crowds
- Summer camps allowed to open as long as they follow safety guidelines
- Limited visitation to hospitals can be reinstated
- Visitation at nursing homes and long-term facilities remain suspended (except for end-of-life situations)
- FREE coronavirus testing remains available across Oklahoma
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