State Leaders Urge Calm In Face Of Coronavirus Pandemic

State leaders are urging Oklahomans not to panic with the apparent spread of COVID-19, known as the coronavirus. So far five people have tested positive in Oklahoma, including two visiting Utah Jazz players. That prompted the last-minute cancellation of the Oklahoma City Thunder game Wednesday night and the suspension of the NBA Season. 

The governor, director of public health and state school superintendent met with the media to give Oklahomans an update on the situation. 

Right now, three Oklahomans have tested positive for the virus.; two in Tulsa County and one discovered Thursday at Altus Air Force Base.  The two in Tulsa County are being isolated in their own homes.

“As well as daily monitoring of any close personal contacts that would be a risk of exposure for the 14 days through the period of their last day of exposure to those cases,” said State Epidemiologist Laurence Burnsed.

The Altus case is still under investigation. 

There are no plans for a state government shutdown.

“The government is not going to shut down. We are working to stay ahead of this problem in the state of Oklahoma,” said House Speaker Charles McCall.

 “We are getting our state agencies prepared. We are praying and hoping for the best. But at the same time, we are making sure our state agencies are ready to serve all four million Oklahomans,” Governor Stitt added.

Specifically, those with weakened immune systems and the elderly. 

“The most susceptible segment of our population from the coronavirus will be the elderly. We want to ensure that services are not disrupted,” McCall said.

State health officials said folks who were at Wednesday evenings Thunder game are not at risk because they didn’t have close contact with Jazz players. That said, if you’re experiencing cough, fever and shortness of breath and traveled outside the country you may want to call your doctor to see if you should be tested. 

The governor stresses though this is not the time to panic.

“Go on about your normal business. We think that we have to just take a deep breath for a second.  We’re prepared. I wanted Oklahomans to know we are preparing our state agencies, but we do not want to create a panic,” Stitt said.