Pittsburg County commissioners issue disaster declaration

McAlester News-Capital (OK)

Mar. 16--Pittsburg County commissioners issued a disaster declaration Monday morning in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Kevin Enloe, director of the Pittsburg County Emergency Management Office, told commissioners during an emergency meeting Monday the declaration opens emergency funding for municipalities, local governments, and small businesses in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak in the area -- but stressed no cases have been identified in the region.

"We do not have any confirmed case in Pittsburg County; We do not have any confirmed cases in the southeast part of the state at this time," Enloe told commissioners.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 10 positive coronavirus cases as of Monday -- three in Tulsa County, two in Oklahoma County, and one apiece in Canadian, Cleveland, Jackson, Kay and Payne Counties.

Gov. Kevin Stitt announced the state's first positive coronavirus case on March 6 and issued a state of emergency on Sunday night as Oklahoma joined Maine as the last U.S. states to issue such a declaration.

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

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies coronavirus as a high potential public health threat both globally and in the US.

"While impact in Oklahoma has continued to be relatively minimal to date, it is increasingly important for Oklahoma to be ready for this threat," Stitt's order states.

The 30-day order allows state agencies to make necessary emergency acquisitions up to $250,000 per transaction and employ additional staff. It also directs state agencies to transmit a delegation of authority and designate an emergency management liaison, establish and implement a remote work policy, and encourage Oklahomans to use online options.

District 18 District Attorney Chuck Sullivan said his office will only allow essential personnel to limit public access to the building and employees will work remotely. He and the commissioners were working to set up a drop box for any court payments.

Pittsburg County Court Clerk Cindy Ledford said her office is encouraging online options for payments and for obtaining court documents.

McAlester Regional Health Center sent an alert stating anyone reporting COVID-19 symptoms will be required to call ahead to the facility from which they are seeking care.

The hospital also restricted some of its entrances and will require everyone to to be screened.

Enloe said the county's disaster declaration will make more funding for outbreak response and Small Business Administration loans available in Pittsburg County.

He said the funds available would help cover lost revenue, unexpected and needed costs to operate under a potential outbreak.

Enloe said the Pittsburg County Emergency Management Office is operating at Level 3 activation, which he described as increased staffing, extended hours of operation, and preparedness to respond.

"We're not necessarily in a response phase yet because we do not have a confirmed case in our county," Enloe said. "Once we have a confirmed case in the county, then we will look at stepping up our to Level 2 operations, which will be more of a 24/7, around the clock operations."

McAlester city manager Pete Stasiak told commissioners the city is also preparing in case of an outbreak.

Stasiak said the city's 911 center is limited to the public, police and fire employees are screened every shift and limited in contact, and

He said the city would not closed facilities until a case is confirmed in the county.

"We know 80-90% of all the citizens in Pittsburg County shop in our city so at that point, we'll start shutting facilities," Stasiak said.

Stasiak said the city of McAlester was considering closure of the Stipe Center and stop serving meals -- instead delivering all meals to senior citizens.

He said city officials will continue monitoring the situation and make decisions prioritizing the health of citizens.

Contact Adrian O'Hanlon III at [email protected]

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