Dr. Bruce Dart, director of the Tulsa Health Department, told the Tulsa World on Monday that each patient in Tulsa County who tests positive for COVID-19 provides an average of 36 potentially exposed persons for the department to trace.
"A team of 25 individuals are working full-time, with many staff working evenings and weekends as well,” Dart told the World. “The job is never complete during a response. This is an important part of the public health response."
On Friday, Dart said at a press conference of local leaders that he felt Governor Kevin Stitt's phased reopening plan was rushed.
This virus will still be here. It’s not going away. It’s still in Oklahoma. It’s still here in Tulsa,” Dart said. “In all honesty, I think it’s too early. Our positive results are trending in the wrong direction. My preference would be that we actually waited.”
“We still have the responsibility to each other to continue to practice social distancing,” Dart said.
Under Stitt's plan, some nonessential businesses including barber shops, salons, and spas reopened by appointment last week. Houses of worship and businesses including restaurant dining rooms, gyms, movie theatres can reopen later this week.
