“Our health care workers are the true heroes in this fight against COVID-19. These protections will continue to keep them and their families safe as they work to take care of their fellow Oklahomans.” – Governor Kevin Stitt

Last night Governor Stitt addressed all 4 million Oklahomans with an update you on the steps we are continuing to take as we mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

You can view the Governor’s message by clicking here.

As a reminder, all 77 counties are under a Safer at Home order. That means anyone 65 and older or with compromised immune systems needs to shelter at home until April 30.

We know that our number of COVID-19 cases will continue to rise as we increase testing and as the virus continues to spread. That’s why it’s so critical that we all stay home, avoid groups of 10 or more, stay six feet apart from others, and continue to wash your hands frequently.

In accordance with the latest guidance from the CDC, Governor Stitt issued an executive order requiring anyone entering the state of Oklahoma from the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Louisiana or Washington to self-quarantine for 14 days in order to reduce the transmission from known “hot spots” in our country.

To protect our most vulnerable populations, all delivery personnel will be required to submit to screening if requested at hospitals, long-term care facilities and daycares before entering the building. This screening likely would include a temperature check and a short questionnaire about their potential exposure to COVID-19.

Because we know how important our front-line health care workers in this fight, Governor Stitt issued an Executive Order today protecting health care workers and their children from discrimination or exclusion in housing or childcare services.

Governor Stitt has authorized FEMA to start the process of working with the Corps of Engineers to start looking at 10 sites across our state that could be converted into alternate care facilities should we need them and has been working with the Oklahoma Hospital Association to make sure each of our hospitals has a plan in place to increase the number of ICU beds they have available by at least 40 percent.

The Governor also suspended some regulations on reserve law enforcement officers and officers who are in training, so they can help serve our rural communities in the field if this virus causes officer shortages.

Oklahomans, please take this seriously. This virus is affecting all of us in different ways. For some of us, it’s affecting our health. For others, it’s our finances, and for all of of us, it’s greatly affecting our way of life. Taking strong steps now is important to getting back to normal as soon as possible.

A word of remembrance for former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn:

Governor Stitt has ordered all American and Oklahoma flags on state property to be lowered to half-staff today to honor the life and memory of former U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, who passed away Saturday at age 72.

“We lost a giant [Saturday] – an Oklahoma legend,” said Gov. Stitt. “Dr. Coburn devoted his life to serving others both by way of his career as a physician and by tirelessly fighting for our country as a true statesman.

“Our state and our nation is better because of the lessons in fiscal responsibility we’ve learned from Dr. Coburn and I pray especially in these trying times ahead of us that we can find ways to ensure his legacy lives on.”

A memorial service will be announced in the coming weeks.

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For the most up to date information and updates please visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health website at coronavirus.health.ok.gov. For questions, please call the OSDH Coronavirus Call Center at 1-877-215-8336.

--Team Stitt