The city of Tulsa is considering implementing additional measures to deal with the surge in COVID-19 cases.
City Councilor Phil Lakin said Wednesday that the city’s COVID-19 working group met recently to discuss what more the city could do to slow the spread of the virus.
The working group is made up of Mayor G.T. Bynum, Tulsa Health Department Executive Director Bruce Dart, four city councilors and city legal staff.
“There is very convincing data out there that says that the issues in our community last week and last month and two months before are very different than they are now and that we need to consider what other measures we may need to take,” Lakin said during a council committee meeting.
One focus of discussions has been on enforcement of the city’s existing mask ordinance, Lakin said.
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“There are situations where businesses are not following our mask mandate and they are not going to file a trespassing complaint against themselves or against anyone in their business, obviously,” he said.
Lakin said the city is still exploring how it could ramp up enforcement efforts without adding an additional burden on police officers.
The city has yet to determine whether the additional enforcement personnel would be provided by the city, the Tulsa Health Department or another entity.
“We do not have all the answers for that. … We are still exploring that, but we are making progress in our exploration,” he said.
Lakin said the city is also considering whether to establish its own distancing requirements for restaurants, bars and other businesses similar to those ordered by Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday but that could potentially extend beyond the governor’s 30-day executive order.
The executive order, which takes effect Thursday, requires that restaurants and bars across the state space their tables 6 feet apart and end in-person service at 11 p.m.
Lakin said COVID-19 working group members were not inclined to make the 11 p.m. closing time a part of the city’s ordinances.
“Some people don’t work eight to five. Some people work very different shifts,” he said. “Some people want and need to go get food at the end of their shift.”
Lakin thanked the cities of Jenks and Sapulpa for recently passing mask mandates but chided Owasso for a resolution it passed Tuesday night strongly encouraging its residents to wear masks and take other preventive measures.
“Thanks, Owasso, for trying, but you need to do better,” he said. “And I think other cities around the Tulsa area could do better as well.”
The Glenpool City Council on Wednesday night approved a mask mandate, and the Sand Springs City Council has a special meeting planned for Monday night to consider implementing COVID-19-related regulations.
The city councilors on the COVID-19 working group are Crista Patrick, Lori Decter Wright, Jeannie Cue and Lakin.
Lakin told his fellow councilors that he would be willing to hold a special meeting before Thanksgiving to consider possible changes the city’s COVID-19 response, but the meeting ended without a date being set.
Bynum said that as the pandemic continues to evolve the city is committed to continuously improving its response to the virus.
“Based on the data that shows 68% of COVID hospital patients since September live outside Tulsa, we know the most effective improvement to be made would be a statewide mask order or mask ordinances in surrounding communities,” the mayor said. “But we also know Tulsa can continue to make adjustments that will slow the spread of the virus in our city, too. So we are evaluating what needs to be done, and we are relying on local health care leaders to guide us in that process.”
Video: Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum talks about city workers who are in quarantine because of COVID-19
Mayor G.T. Bynum said an employee with a sustained 106-degree fever could not receive treatment at area hospitals due to capacity issues
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
