TULSA — Coronavirus cases continue to rise in Oklahoma and Tulsa County.
Oklahoma saw a record spike of 259 new cases in a day on June 17. Dr. Dart with the Tulsa Health Department said between June 6 and June 13 there is an 116% increase in coronavirus cases.
Mayor G.T. Bynum addressed the increase in cases on Wednesday, commenting on the lack of people wearing masks he saw around Tulsa.
He feels the increase of cases is due to people relaxing on safety measures. He also reminded people that they knew cases would go up as Tulsa reopened so these rising numbers are not a surprise and Tulsans know what to do to lower those numbers.
We have a responsibility to protect each other through this, through responsible behavior in our daily lives.
With that said Bynum again said he will not do anything to stop President Trump's rally planned for downtown Tulsa on Saturday or the Juneteenth celebrations planned Friday and Saturday.
READ MORE: Vice Pres. Mike Pence to join Pres. Trump for Tulsa rally
Bynum is excited for the community to celebrate Juneteenth this Friday. He also said it is an honor for the president to choose to come to Tulsa to highlight how Tusans handled reopening after the pandemic.
I don't care if you are a Republican, Democrat or an Independent, that's a tremendous honor.
If Tulsans want to go to the events, the mayor said they should or if they want to celebrate digitally, then they should.
He urged anyone attending an event in person this weekend to follow the advice of Dr. Dart and the Tulsa Health Department.
Dart said attendees should do the following:
- If you are a part of vulnerable population, please stay home and seek alternate ways to participate virtually.
- For those who are going, please wear a mask, use hand sanitizer and practice social distancing.
Watch the full news conference below:
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