Tulsa’s "safer at home" order has been extended through April 30 to follow new federal guidelines, and officials are urging people to abide by it.
Tulsa Health Department Executive Director Doctor Bruce Dart said their models for COVID-19 spread are grim if people don’t comply because the novel coronavirus is highly contagious.
"The potential is up to 170,000 new infections and 2,000 deaths between now and July if people don’t stay home," Dart said.
The health department's "pessimistic model" currently projects up to 350,000 cases of COVID-19 and 3,100 deaths between now and August.
Dart was asked whether hospitals can keep up with projected rates of transmission for COVID-19.
"Bottom line is that if people don’t start complying with shelter in place and stopping gathering, no. I mean, our system will be overwhelmed," Dart said. "We have to do this not only to protect ourselves but to ensure our hospital system can function and take care of those people who need to be taken care of."
Tulsa's safer at home order requires residents of all ages to stay home unless they are going to work at a job deemed essential under orders by Gov. Kevin Stitt, buying groceries, picking up prescriptions, getting medical care, going to care for a family member or exercising while maintaining the recommended 6-foot distance from others.
All gatherings outside of a family or home are not allowed.
