Editor's note: This story was updated with comments from Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum after Tuesday's Tulsa World print edition went to press.
No intensive care unit beds were available in Tulsa hospitals Monday night amid record-breaking numbers of COVID-19 cases, a spokesman for the Oklahoma Regional Medical Response System confirmed.
Adam Paluka, a spokesman for the system’s District 7 in Tulsa, told the Tulsa World on Monday night that the capacity limit applies to hospitals in the city but not the entirety of Tulsa County.
He had said earlier in the evening that two Tulsa hospitals still had ICU beds available, and he noted Monday night that the situation can change by the hour.
He said “it’s been a concern” that beds could fill as the numbers of COVID-19 cases continued to rise, culminating Monday in the state’s reporting a seven-day rolling average of about 2,050 new cases per day.
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The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported that adult ICU bed availability across the state was down to 6% — or 53 beds — as of 9 p.m. Monday.
The agency said 1,102 people were hospitalized in the state on Monday night with either confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19, of whom 334 were in ICUs.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health said Monday that it received reports of 2,197 new cases of COVID-19, of which 302 were in Tulsa County. There have been 226 Tulsa County residents who have died after contracting COVID-19.
“If there’s a patient who needs an ICU bed, RMRS (the Oklahoma Regional Medical Response System) and the hospital would work in conjunction to find that patient a bed,” Paluka said of the situation in Tulsa. “They would work within the county to find an ICU bed. If there weren’t any in the county, then they would just go further out until they found one.
“It’s disheartening, but we’re still going to do what we do every day: respond to the needs of our community.”
The announcement comes ahead of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s plans for a 2 p.m. news conference Tuesday with state Health Commissioner Lance Frye to provide an update on the government’s COVID-19 pandemic response.
Stitt issued a statement over the weekend as new case reports exceeded 4,000 in a single day — by far the highest on record in the state — but has refused to impose a statewide mask mandate.
House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman, issued a statement Monday reiterating calls for Stitt to impose a mask mandate and is also holding a press conference on Tuesday.
“Keep washing your hands frequently, watch your distance from others, and wear a mask when social distancing isn’t possible or visiting indoor public places,” Stitt said in his statement. “You have heard me say these things before, but we need everyone to take these actions seriously. They work.
“Oklahomans pulled together back in April so we could safely reopen our economy, and I am asking for that same unified effort once again to slow the spread of this virus and keep Oklahomans safe,” he said.
The Oklahoma Hospital Association worked with state leaders on a tier-based hospital surge plan announced Oct. 21 that takes into account COVID-19 hospitalizations by region.
Oklahoma City was the first area in the state to enter Tier 3 — of four total tiers — last week after reporting more than 20% of staffed beds are filled with COVID-19 patients.
Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum said during a news conference late last month that the “vast majority” of COVID-19 patients in Tulsa hospitals are coming from outside the Tulsa city limits. Bynum and the City Council agreed on a mask ordinance this summer that remains in effect through January.
Bynum's office issued a statement late Monday night, saying the city also would hold a news conference at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
“Tonight I have been in communication with the State Department of Health, the Tulsa Health Department, and local hospital leadership," Bynum said in a news release. "Hospitals are enacting their surge plans for managing ICU patient care on a regional basis.
“Just as our health care system is a regional one, our response to fighting COVID-19 must be a regional one too. Tulsans cannot fight this on our own.
"I again implore the state and our neighboring communities to listen to those medical professionals asking for steps to be taken that will slow the spread of this virus. Politically convenient speeches about freedom and personal responsibility are not preventing our ICUs from being maxed out.
“The Tulsa City Council and I will continue to act on the guidance of local public health experts.”
Broken Arrow Mayor Craig Thurmond and city councilors there have refused to implement a mask requirement.
Jenks city councilors will meet Tuesday to consider whether to implement a mask mandate there that would be similar to the one in Tulsa.
Featured video: Tulsa mayor asks neighboring communities to talk to area health care officials
G.T. Bynum: "The challenge for us is the leading cause of the issue right now is from folks who live outside of our jurisdiction"
Gallery: 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
