COVID-19 Situation Update - December 9

12/9/2020

Situation Update
To date, the Tulsa Health Department (THD) has confirmed 37,459 positive COVID-19 cases in Tulsa County. 32,558 residents have recovered and 292 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/COVID19.

Tulsa Municipal Courts Updates
Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Tulsa and the surrounding areas, the Tulsa Municipal Court is scaling back court operations to reduce the number of citizens in the courthouse. The courthouse will remain open to all defendants, attorneys, interpreters and citizens who are seeking access. A cashier is located on site to accept payments Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

• All arraignments and conferences scheduled for Dec. 11, 2020, through Jan. 20, 2021, will be passed for 60 days, though a defendant, with or without an attorney, may proceed with their case as scheduled, at their request
• All nonjury trials and probation reviews shall continue as previously set
• Defendants with preset tickets can call to request an extension of time for payment or appear at court and sign a plea and waver form to make payment arrangements 
• From Dec. 8, 2020, through Jan. 20, 2021, warrants for failure to appear and failure to pay will not be issued until after Jan. 20, 2021
• All defendants (or attorneys appearing for defendant) who have a bench warrant and appear at the court will have their bench warrant recalled immediately and be given a court date to return in 60 days.
• Jury Trial Sounding Docket set for Jan. 7, 2021, is continued until April 1 - No jury trials will be conducted until after April 1, 2021
• Citizens, defendants, and attorneys can contact  Municipal Courts by emailing  courtclerk@cityoftulsa.org or by calling (918) 596-1625

Tulsa Health Department Update
Testing, quarantine and isolation remain critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19. Completing the entire duration of your quarantine and isolation is vitally important.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Oklahoma State Department of Health announced options to shorten the length of someone’s quarantine based on testing results and symptoms. Reducing the length of quarantine may make it easier for people to quarantine by reducing the time they cannot work.

The CDC cautions any quarantine shorter than 14 days balances reduced burden against a small possibility of spreading the virus. It is imperative to continue to wear your mask for the remainder of what the 14 day quarantine would have been when around anyone.

CARES Act Updates
On Thursday, the City of Tulsa is launching a new Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) in a virtual ribbon cutting ceremony that will offer one-on-one financial counseling to residents at no cost. A trained professional will provide tips on reducing debt, budgeting, increasing savings and planning for a financially secure future. While the center will have a physical location near 15th St and Yale Ave, the individualized sessions will be held virtually for the time being due to the pandemic. Services will be offered in other languages, including Spanish. This is a collaboration between the City and Goodwill Industries of Tulsa. To make an appointment, visit http://fecpublic.org/appointment-tulsa  or call (918) 802-7279.

The Student Support Camps at City Parks community centers will provide services until December 18. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to help with student distance learning during the school day. The cost per child per week is $25. Parents can also opt to register their student Wednesdays only for $15. For more information on the student support camps, visit: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/camps  

The last day for families to sign up for subsidized internet service provided by Cox Communications, in partnership with the City of Tulsa, is December 31. Approximately 300 households have signed up for the service. This Internet Access Plan is available to families who currently lack internet at home. Qualifying families who sign up before December 31 will be eligible for high speed internet at no cost for up to 14 months. Eligible households must have a current student enrolled in Tulsa Public Schools, Union Public Schools, Jenks Public or Charter Schools, Educare, Headstart or CAP Tulsa who are receiving either government assistance or are impacted in one of the following ways:

• Those who receive free and reduced lunch
• Those who participate in:
• WIC
• SNAP
• LIHEAP
• TANF
• Those who receive tenant-based vouchers
• Those who live in Section 8 Housing or live in Public Housing
• Those who have lost at least 25 percent of their income due to COVID-19

For more information, contact Tulsa Responds at (918) 900-0918 or visit: https://www.tulsaresponds.org/    

Renovations on the 5th floor of City Hall for the new business incubator is scheduled to begin after the first of the year with a projected opening date of Spring 2021. This program is aimed to help in Tulsa’s economic recovery during the pandemic and support startup companies and entrepreneurs. This is a unique partnership between the City and 36 Degrees North. The space will allow for small companies to grow, access technology and strengthen our local workforce.

The City’s overflow shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness has seen a total of 8,635 visits since the launch on September 8. It will remain in operation through the end of June 2021 thanks to additional funds allocated last month. In partnership with Iron Gate, the shelter has distributed 13,355 meals. 

For more information about community programming funded through the State of Oklahoma’s allocation of CARES Act funding to the City of Tulsa, visit: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/cares.