OKLAHOMA CITY – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control announced that Oklahoma will receive $6.92 million to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.
As of Sunday, Oklahoma had seven cases of coronavirus, either presumptive positive or confirmed positive by the CDC. They included two people in Tulsa, both of whom returned from trips to Italy; an Airman at Altus AFB who visited the Seattle area; an Oklahoma County woman in her mid-60's who traveled to Florida; and three women in Cleveland, Payne and Tulsa counties.
In addition, the Oklahoma State Department of Health listed two more individuals as presumptive positive but “out-of-state residents”. A dozen other people are under investigation for possibly having contracted the disease.
Reportedly 118 people in Oklahoma have tested negative for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
The World Health Organization declared that the global coronavirus crisis had become a pandemic. By March 12 the coronavirus had spread to 118 countries and infected approximately 125,000 people since first emerging in Wuhan, China, at the end of last year.
The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said 46 states and Washington, D.C., had confirmed cases of COVID-19 by March 13.
COMANCHE COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
The spread of coronavirus “could be a stressful time for all on our team” at Comanche County Memorial Hospital, said Dr. Scott Michener, the chief medical officer.
“…[O]ur job is to take care of our patients, but also take care of each other and ourselves. This is a time for all of us to do our jobs with due diligence and care. I cannot overstate the importance of hand hygiene, as this is one of our best protections against personal infection and spread of the virus. All room and surface cleaning should be done with extra care. Avoid touching your face as much as possible.
“The virus is passed through respiratory droplets when an infected individual coughs or breathes. If we are caring for infected patients, it is imperative to use personal protective equipment and use it properly. Protecting yourself will also protect other patients.
“As there is a nationwide mask shortage, we have taken measures to conserve the N-95 masks used for this protection. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation.”
INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE
The Indian Health Service had not run any COVID-19 tests anywhere in its Oklahoma City service area, which covers all IHS facilities in southwest Oklahoma, as of 8:30 a.m. March 12.
In a related matter, the state Department of Health announced Thursday that county health departments do not offer testing for COVID-19.
Anyone who develops symptoms such as fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing, and has been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 (coronavirus) or has recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19, should contact his/her health care provider or the COVID-19 hotline at 877-215- 8336 for recommendations, health officials said.
CARE PROVIDERS OKLAHOMA
Following new guidance issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Oklahoma’s skilled nursing facilities and long-term care facilities are expected to suspend all medically unnecessary visits indefinitely. The new guidance “directs nursing homes to significantly restrict visitors and nonessential personnel, as well as restrict communal activities inside nursing homes.”
Medically necessary visits include appointments with doctors or other medical practitioners as well as hospice service providers. Families wishing to visit loved ones are asked to communicate through letters, phone or teleconference technology such as FaceTime, which many homes are working to facilitate.
“We take the threat of COVID-19 especially seriously, as our population of elderly Oklahomans is particularly vulnerable to this disease,” said Steve Buck, president and chief executive officer of Care Providers Oklahoma. “The fact is, the greatest threats to the health and well-being of our residents are visitors, many of whom are loved ones.”
He acknowledged that, “It’s difficult to ask spouses, children, grandchildren and others to forgo visiting their loved ones, and an even more difficult thing to do.”
Care Providers Oklahoma represents approximately 18,000 residents and 19,000 health care professionals.
MCMAHON TOMLINSON NURSING CENTER
The Ledger left a voice-mail message for the administrator at McMahon Tomlinson Nursing Center in Lawton at 9:23 a.m. Thursday, requesting information about their COVID-19 preparations, but the facility never responded.
OKLAHOMA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
Susie Wallace, communications director for the Oklahoma Hospital Association, said, “We have been communicating frequently with our member hospitals and providing resources and information for a number of weeks on COVID-19 preparedness. Hospitals are in regular communication with the Oklahoma State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control, as well, and are receiving advisories from those agencies on an almost daily basis.”
The OHA issued the following statement in re coronavirus preparations:
“Emergency preparedness training is a year-round activity, and Oklahoma hospitals have been preparing for high threat infectious disease events such as COVID-19 for many years.
“Hospitals continuously drill on their disaster response and infection control protocols and refine their response based on new trends and information. Every hospital must have a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan that identifies known and potential risks. These plans must include policies and procedures for responding to a public health event, including the outbreak of an infectious disease, and their ability to respond to surge events.
“Across the state, Oklahoma hospitals are on the front lines in the fight against a variety of infectious diseases every day and are well equipped to treat patients. Such patients are isolated and treated in appropriate spaces by trained staff using specialized equipment.
“Hospitals share information and best practices, but also deploy the specific strategies that will work best in their facilities and in response to the changing situation. When there is a threat of a disease that could cause a surge of patients, each individual hospital steps up its preparedness and coordination activities.
“Oklahoma’s health care community has demonstrated numerous times over the years excellent capabilities to react in an emergency situation or when there is a surge of critically ill patients. Oklahoma hospitals are national leaders in disaster preparedness.
“There are currently significant demands on supplies nationally, particularly of personal protective equipment. Hospitals have strategies to help control inventory and will work together to make sure needed supplies are available.”
BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD OKLAHOMA
Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Oklahoma’s largest health insurer, announced it will cover the cost of coronavirus tests for insured patients.
BC/BSOK said it will waive member deductible and co-pays for COVID-19 tests deemed medically necessary and consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Individuals must have a fully insured health plan.
OKLAHOMA HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY
The Oklahoma Health Care Authority is “closely monitoring the situation in Oklahoma and encourages all Sooner Care members to practice good hygiene and stay home if they are sick,” said Katelynn Burns, the agency’s senior public information representative. “We continue to collaborate with other health agencies to ensure members have accurate and current guidance as the situation evolves.”
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES
The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) is “adapting the agency’s existing pandemic influenza plan for a specific response to a potential COVID-19 outbreak in the state,” said Jody Harlan, the agency’s communications director.
The DRS plan “includes strategies, staff responsibilities and timeframes required to protect Oklahomans with disabilities served by DRS, employees and the public and continue essential services if the COVID-19 leads to significant employee absenteeism,” Harlan wrote. DRS is “also following guidance from the Oklahoma State Department of Health for interaction with the public.”
MIDWEST CITY SENIOR CENTER
The Midwest City Senior Center closed temporarily at the end of business Friday. The closure was in response to concerns about the coronavirus and an effort to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation that people who are 60 and older avoid unnecessary contact with crowds.