Public health side effects of President Donald Trump’s controversial campaign rally in Tulsa are manifesting this week as the county’s COVID-19 cases skyrocket.
There were 261 new cases of the virus in Tulsa County reported Tuesday, which is the most yet in a single day. There were 206 reported Wednesday, the fourth most so far as the county’s seven-day rolling average of new cases nearly tops its recent peak.
Bruce Dart, executive director of the Tulsa Health Department, was asked Wednesday whether contact tracers were beginning to see cases tied back to Trump’s rally.
“The past two days we’ve had almost 500 cases, and we knew we had several large events a little over two weeks ago — which is about right,” Dart said. “So I guess you can connect the dots.”
City-sponsored Juneteenth festivities set for what would become the same weekend already had been scrapped because of the pandemic.
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But in response to Trump’s unexpected rally announcement for June 20, other groups then resurrected the Juneteenth celebration. Events were scheduled across three days, which included Rev. Al Sharpton as a keynote speaker June 19.
The latest spike in cases has prompted Dart and Mayor G.T. Bynum to publicly acknowledge that a mask mandate for Tulsa will come soon if the upward trajectory continues as expected.
After the news conference, Dart told the Tulsa World that he and his team looked at Google mobility data for those who attended the Trump rally.
He noted it’s unclear how accurate the data are, but that they are “ballpark” figures.
“... 40% were Tulsa County residents,” Dart said. “15% were Oklahoma County residents. The rest were in 44 counties through 12 states.”
Dart last Friday had said this is the week he would expect to see public health effects of Trump’s event in data, given the lag time from developing symptoms to testing to reporting.
Local public health officials emphasize that the “serious seven” — bars, gyms, funerals, weddings, faith-based activities, house gatherings and other small events — are driving the surge up to this point, not earlier protests against police brutality and racism.
The Trump rally drew a ticketed crowd of 6,200 individuals, which doesn’t include reporters, suite holders nor staff from neither the rally nor BOK Center, according to the Tulsa fire marshal. The Tulsa World estimated about 10,000 people were inside the 19,000-seat arena.
Trump and his campaign boasted of a million tickets requested in advance, sparking outcry about the event potentially becoming a super-spreader of the novel coronavirus.
Six members of an advance team preparing for the rally tested positive for the virus while in Tulsa, with another two campaign staffers testing positive after the event itself.
“The White House is working closely with the Tulsa Health Department regarding ongoing contact tracing investigations related to the rally,” according to a statement Wednesday from the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
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COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues
COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues
How it spreads, who's at risk
Studies have shown many infected people show no symptoms or have symptoms so mild they may go undetected; those people can still transmit COVID-19 to About 20% of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 require hospitalization.
The disease can be fatal, especially for vulnerable populations: those older than 65, living in a nursing home or long-term care facility, and anyone with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or obesity.
Science of virus spread
COVID-19 is spread mainly from person to person via respiratory droplets produced by an infected person. Spread is most likely when people are in close contact, within about 6 feet. A person might also be infected with COVID-19 after touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their face. According to the CDC, evidence suggests the novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces, though that form of transmission is said to be minor.
Transmission between people more than 6 feet from one another may occur in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces, the CDC says, especially where activities cause heavier breathing, such as singing or exercising.
The infectious period for patients can begin up to 48 hours before symptom onset.
List of symptoms
The CDC recently expanded its list of possible symptoms of COVID-19. The symptoms can appear from two days to two weeks after exposure.
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms and will continue to be updated by the CDC. One symptom not included is "purple toes," which someone may experience with no other symptoms, sometimes several weeks after the acute phase of an infection is over. The coloration and pain is caused by a lack of blood flow to the toes caused by excessive blood clotting, a late-stage concern with COVID-19 infections.
Kinds of testing
Those getting tested may experience different kinds of swabs. The viral test, known as PCR, involves a deep nasal swab that can be painful.
Other tests that require less-invasive swabs may produce results faster, but with less accuracy. These should not be used diagnostically.
It is not yet known whether COVID-19 antibodies can protect someone being infected again or how long protection might last.
The 'serious seven'
The "serious seven" refer to close contact environments where residents should take extra precautions if they choose to attend. The seven are gyms, weddings, house gatherings, bars, funerals, faith-based activities and other small events, according to Tulsa Health Department Director Bruce Dart.
Treatments being investigated
The FDA has allowed for antiviral drug remdesivir, previously tested on humans with Ebola, to treat more severe cases of COVID-19 in adults and children. Safety and effectiveness aside, preliminary studies have shown it can shorten recovery time for some patients.
After previously approving an emergency use authorization, the FDA as of July 1 cautions against use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for COVID-19 outside of the hospital setting or a clinical trial. A review of safety issues includes reports of serious heart rhythm problems and other safety issues, including blood and lymph system disorders, kidney injuries, and liver problems and failure.
Convalescent serum therapy
Some patients are receiving convalescent serum, meaning the antibodies made by people who have recovered after a COVID-19 infection. Antibody-rich blood plasma is being given to severely or critically ill COVID-19 patients, including Ascension St. John, Saint Francis Health System, OSU Center for Health Sciences and Hillcrest HealthCare System in Tulsa.
From June to July, requests for convalescent plasma from the Oklahoma Blood Institute multiplied seven-fold.
Recovery, as defined by CDC
To be considered recovered (without a test), these three things must happen, the CDC advises:
- No fever for at least 72 hours (three full days of normal temperature without the use of medicine)
- Other symptoms improved (no more cough, etc.)
- At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared
