OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt and others on Wednesday announced the creation of the Oklahoma Pandemic Center for Innovation and Excellence in Stillwater.
It will house the state’s public health lab, which will move there by the end of the year.
“Today is a milestone day for the future of the public health response of the great state of Oklahoma,” Stitt said.
He said the center will be the first of its kind in the nation, combining agriculture, human medicine, food safety, public health testing and preparedness, and animal safety and health.
Interim Health Commissioner Dr. Lance Frye said it “will propel Oklahoma to the forefront of public health preparedness and response.”
Stitt said the center will bring together local and national experts.
Although it will not be on the Oklahoma State University campus, it will include partnerships with OSU, the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Oklahoma and many other public and private entities, Stitt said.
Secretary of Science and Innovation Elizabeth Pollard said federal CARES Act funds and the $58.5 million bond for a new public health lab will be used to fund the center.
In addition, operating funds of the Oklahoma State Department of Health will be used, Frye said.
The state plans to use $25 million in CARES Act funds, said Travis Kirkpatrick, Oklahoma State Department of Health deputy commissioner.
It will also use the $9.5 million appropriated budget for the public health lab, Frye said.
Frye called it an investment in the future of the state and its response to pandemics.
He said the state had not invested in infrastructure and was not prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that “we want to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
The facility initially will be located in leased space at 4615 W. Lakeview Road.
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Gallery: 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.
Testing in Tulsa County
Testing at state-run sites can provide results in about 7-10 days. Tulsa Health Department, using a mix of public and private labs to process about 600 specimens weekly, provides results within an average of three calendar days.
Click here to set up an appointment at the following locations:
- North Regional Health and Wellness Center, 5635 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
- South Testing Location, 8414 E. 101st St. South
More testing sites:
OU-Tulsa, 4502 E. 41st St, Tulsa, OK 74135
OU-Tulsa Wayman Tisdale Specialty Health Clinic, 591 E. 36th St. North
OSU Center for Health Sciences, 1111 W. 17th S.
OSU Medicine Healthcare Center, 2345 Southwest Blvd.
Walmart locations: 2019 E. 81st St., 207 S. Memorial Drive, 2301 W. Kenosha St. (Broken Arrow)
CVS locations: 4107 S. Harvard Ave., 8010 E. 51st St., 2351 N. Ninth St. (Broken Arrow), 751 W. Tuscon St. (Broken Arrow)
Access Medical Care, 2929 S. Garnett Road
Morton Comprehensive Health Services, 1334 N. Lansing Ave.
Tulsa ER & Hospital, 717 W. 71st St.
Med Express, 2140 S. Yale Ave.
MCI Diagnostics, 7018 S. Utica Ave.
IMMY Labs
NOHS, 6732 E. 41st St.
Contact tracing
Each confirmed COVID-19 case on average has approximately 36 close-contacts, according to Tulsa Health Department. Health officials investigate every positive case and help each person retrace his or her steps during their contagious period. Close-contacts then are called for notification that they might have been exposed to COVID-19. Some smartphone apps can help with contact tracing.
For those unsure if a tracing call is legitimate, the Tulsa Health Department call center is at 918-582-9355. Contact tracers will never ask for Social Security numbers, bank information or credit card information.
Information requested by contact tracers: date of birth, address and any additional occupants in the home who may also be at risk of exposure. Close contacts are those who have been within six feet of a positive case for at least 10 minutes.
Isolation or quarantine?
Quarantines can help prevent virus spread before a person knows they are sick. People in quarantine should stay home and separate themselves from others.
For those planning in-person holiday events at home, the CDC suggests that hosts ask guests to quarantine for 14 days before the gathering.
Isolation is used to separate people with the virus from those who've not been infected. Those who need to isolate should stay home, separated from others in the household, including pets.
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
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Barbara Hoberock
Capitol Bureau Writer
I have covered the Oklahoma Legislature since 1994. I cover politics, appellate courts, state agencies and the governor. I have worked for the Tulsa World since 1990. Phone: 405-528-2465
