OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma remains on pace to continue reopening business amid the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Kevin Stitt said Wednesday.
Stitt said the rates of new virus infections, deaths and hospitalizations is declining and, in accordance with White House guidelines, allows the state to continue reopening its economy.
The state health department reported more than 4,200 confirmed cases of the virus and at least 253 deaths on Wednesday, but Stitt said the number of people testing positive for the virus has fallen from more than 10% about a month ago to 5.4% as of Tuesday and the number of hospitalizations has fallen from a peak of 560 on March 30 to 230.
“We are on track to continue with our safely reopening plan … we are on track to begin Phase II starting May 15,” Stitt said.
Phase II includes the reopening of bars, funerals and weddings and church nurseries under a plan announced in late April by Stitt.
CORONAVIRUS CASES-DEATHS
Oklahoma’s official count of people who have contracted the coronavirus has topped 4,200 and the number deaths due to COVID-19 has surpassed 250, the state State Department of Health reported Wednesday.
There are 4,201 confirmed cases and 253 deaths due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. That’s an increase of 74 cases and six deaths from Tuesday. The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people haven’t been tested and studies suggest people can have the disease without showing symptoms.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
Several businesses in the state have begun reopening, although some are still offering only curbside or takeout service, under guidelines approved by Gov. Kevin Stitt. The plans a news conference Wednesday to update the public on the state’s efforts to fight the pandemic.
NORMAN LAWSUIT
In Norman, the city has moved to federal court a lawsuit challenging Mayor Breea Clark’s order that kept closed personal care businesses, but allowed businesses such as restaurants in the state’s third larges city to reopen on May 1.
A state district judge on Monday found the proclamation violates the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment and issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting the city from banning businesses such as barber shops, massage parlors and hair and nail salons from reopening until May 15 while allowing the other businesses to open under social distancing guidelines.
Clark on Tuesday amended the proclamation to allow personal care businesses to reopen immediately, but the city moved the case to federal court, said assistant City Attorney Rick Knighton.
Knighton said the mayor relied on advice from the federal Centers for Disease Control and state health officials in keeping personal care businesses closed because they involve human contact and cannot socially distance.
“What can the mayor do? Can she depart from what the governor said or what other mayors are doing?” Knighton asked.
Gov. Stitt’s executive order allowed personal care businesses to reopen unless they were prevented from doing so under more restrictive city ordinances and cities, including Oklahoma City and Tulsa, moved to allow their reopening.
Sam Talley, attorney for the salon owners who filed the lawsuit said the city’s decision is disappointing.
“I don’t know what’s going on, I’m really perplexed … all my clients were saying is don’t violate our rights,” Talley said.
Knighton said the salons are allowed to reopen, while the city is asking for clarification of what it is allowed to mandate
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