Oklahoma Orders Businesses To Shut Down In 19 Counties
Oklahoma’s governor is ordering non-essential businesses to shut down in 19 counties where the Coronavirus has been detected. The governor also announced Tuesday he is ordering elderly and vulnerable Oklahomans to stay indoors until April 30, except for essential travel like getting groceries or prescriptions.
The expanded order comes as a third death in Oklahoma is being attributed to the new Coronavirus.
The Health Department says a Cleveland County woman in her 60s died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. State Sen. Paul Rosino, a Republican from Oklahoma City, has tested positive for the virus.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported the number of people who have tested positive for the virus has climbed to 106 in 19 counties, but because of a shortage of available testing kits, health officials say the actual number is likely much higher.
Gov. Kevin Stitt said Sunday the state will begin operating mobile testing sites in Kay, Pittsburg, Oklahoma and Tulsa counties, but the department said Tuesday those sites are not yet operational.
The vast majority of people who contract the virus recover within weeks. It causes only mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but it can lead to more severe illness, including pneumonia, especially in older adults and people with preexisting health problems.
Oklahoma’s first death was a Tulsa County man in his 50s who died last week. The death of a second man, a Pawnee County man in his 50s, was reported Sunday.