April 29, COVID-19 Situation Update

4/29/2020

Frequently Asked Questions

Situation Update
To date, the Tulsa Health Department (THD) has confirmed 522 positive COVID-19 cases in Tulsa County. 390 residents have recovered and 33 have died. Test results are updated daily at www.tulsa-health.org/COVID19. For the most up-to-date news, information and business resources in Tulsa, visit www.cityoftulsa.org/COVID-19.

Effective May 1: Civil Emergency Stays in Place, New Guidance Issued

On April 30, Tulsa’s Safer at Home Order (shelter in place) will expire except those who are over the age of 65 or with underlying medical conditions as outlined in the State’s Phase One Reopening Plan.

Effective Friday, May 1, the Mayor’s Civil Emergency Executive Order will be in place to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus as Tulsa County numbers remain steady. The order states:

• All events or gatherings of more than 10 people in the City of Tulsa are banned through May 15 when the pandemic emergency conditions will be reassessed. This includes all social gatherings. Religious services, commercial activity and work are not considered gatherings.
• City-owned playgrounds, recreation centers, pools, splash pads and day camps shall remain closed indefinitely.
• City-owned sport courts, golf courses, pickleball, sports fields, and dog parks may resume operations with physical distancing and sanitation precautions on May 1.
• City-owned sports complexes and organized sports activities with more than 10 people shall remain closed through June 1.
• No special event permits will be issued through May 14. The City will reassess special permits by May 15.
• You can read the FAQ and the order at: cityoftulsa.org/COVID-19.

State of Oklahoma Reopening Plan
All businesses within the City of Tulsa shall follow the guidance of the State’s Phase One Reopening Plan. Bars in Tulsa city limits shall remain closed through May 14. On May 15, Tulsa bars may resume operations with reduced occupancy based on 36 square feet per person (in the assembly/bar area). Bars are required to calculate and self-post this capacity next to their current capacity sign on white 8.5” x 11” paper.

Businesses set to reopen May 1 based on the State’s Phase One Reopening Plan should turn to the Oklahoma Dept. of Commerce website for guidance at www.okcommerce.gov/covid19/ours-plan/. Businesses with occupancy questions should contact the Tulsa Fire Marshal’s office at (918) 596-9422 or by email at firemarshal@cityoftulsa.org.

Businesses, organizations and others with questions on reopening guidance should visit THD’s COVID-19 page at www.tulsa-health.org/covid19.

Tulsa’s civil order will be enforced by the City and THD – Complaints regarding social gatherings and bars should be made to TPD Non-Emergency, (918) 596-9222 or 311. Complaints regarding other businesses should be made to THD or the City at (918) 595-4200 or 311.

To help keep officers safe, Tulsa Police are asking residents to make non-life-threatening reports online at www.tulsapolice.org or by phone through the Tulsa Police non-emergency number at (918) 596-9222. 911 should be used for emergencies only.

Restoring Water to Closed Businesses

Buildings without water service due to closures that are set to reopen should be aware of potential water risks associated when water is restored. It’s asked all buildings follow CDC guidance regarding water restoration. Read the guidance at: https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/wmp/toolkit/index.html.

THD Updated COVID-19 Symptoms & Pet Guidelines

Those with COVID-19 have been known to exhibit symptoms like cough, shortness of breath and fever. The CDC recently updated its guidelines to reflect a few additional symptoms, which include chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. If you are exhibiting these symptoms, you can call one of the testing centers below or the Tulsa Health Department.

Additional guidance regarding pets has also been given. THD advises to not let pets interact with others outside your household, keep cats indoors when possible, walk your dogs on a leash and avoid dog parks and public spaces where people and dogs gather. If you are sick with COVID-19, avoid contact with your pets and/or find other arrangements for their care during your recovery. If you must care for your pet while sick, wear a cloth face covering and wash your hands before you interact with them.

Drive-Thru Testing Sites   
There are three drive-thru testing sites in Tulsa, all of which are by appointment only. Walk-ins cannot be accepted.

• OSU Center for Health Sciences, (918) 599-5300
• OU-Tulsa, (918) 619-4980
• Walmart at 81^st and Lewis, DoINeedaCovid19Test.com or call 1-800-635-8611

For more information on testing sites, visit: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/residents/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-testing-sites-in-tulsa/ 

If you were exposed to a known COVID-19 patient or are exhibiting symptoms for COVID-19, call THD at (918) 582-9355.

Tulsa County Update

The County Parks Department is prepared to open LaFortune Golf Course and Grill, South Lakes Golf Course and Grill, and the Case Tennis Center at LaFortune. Staff have identified numerous new ways to encourage social distancing while maintaining enhanced cleaning and sanitization measures.

These include:

• Accepting pre-payments on the LaFortune and South Lakes websites
• Sanitizing range baskets between use and allowing only single riders on golf carts with the exception for those in the same household
• Moving tee times so they are 10 minutes apart instead of 8 minutes
• Adding course marshals to enforce social distancing
• Sanitizing carts between uses and at night
• Game changes such as keeping the flagstick in while putting and modifying the cup to prevent human contact
• Removing all rakes, water jugs, and ball washers
• Limiting the number of customers allowed in the pro shop to no more than five at a time and adding marks on floor to specify minimum distancing
• Suspending parking lot shuttle services
• Shifting grills to carry-out only at this time
• Outside events and tournaments are still postponed as are all youth activities and all driving range vendor functions.

The Case Tennis Center will also:

• Keep the indoor courts remained closed at this time
• Encourage players to open a new can of balls each time they visit
• Only the pros will be able to touch lesson balls and will sanitize ball hoppers; players will not be allowed to touch lesson balls
• 4 or less players allowed on every court with spacing of court assignments in place
• Reservation times for courts are staggered and players can make a reservation and pay on the app without having to come inside
• Strict monitoring of the courts

Tulsa County has not yet determined if pools and splash parks will open for the summer. Tulsa County will not open playgrounds at this time but will continue to evaluate on an ongoing basis as we move through phased openings.

The OSU-Tulsa Extension Office’s Tulsa County Oklahoma Home and Community Education (OHCE) members have volunteered their time and money to create, handmade, and donate nearly 1,000 fabric masks to local hospitals and medical facilities, local community members, and local grocery stores and businesses. OHCE members also created 50 scent cloths to be used to comfort NICU babies at St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa. The parents of these babies wear the scent cloths, and then the cloths are placed in the babies’ beds. When parents are not able to visit and connect with their babies due to COVID-19 restrictions, the scent cloths help to soothe and comfort them. One OHCE group also donated 133 boxes of Girl Scout cookies that benefited 265 employees at the Owasso Bailey Medical Center.