Hartshorne mayor issues disaster emergency proclamation

Mar. 19--Hartshorne's mayor issued a disaster emergency proclamation to prepare for if a positive case of coronavirus is reported in Pittsburg County.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 44 cases and one death statewide due to the coronavirus as of Thursday evening -- with none being reported in Pittsburg County or southeast Oklahoma.

Hartshorne mayor Ashley Faulkner issued a disaster emergency proclamation Wednesday "to protect public health, reduce further damage, ensure public safety, and render emergency relief."

President Donald Trump declared the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency on March 13 to allow as much as $50 billion for state and local governments to respond to the outbreak.

Gov. Kevin Stitt announced the state's first positive coronavirus case on March 6 and issued a state of emergency on Sunday night.

Pittsburg County commissioners issued a disaster declaration Monday morning and the city of McAlester issued a disaster declaration Tuesday evening.

Hartshorne's proclamation declares the city to be a disaster area entitled to aid, relief and assistance under the county emergency operations plan.

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