Many changes continue to occur in the city of Tonkawa due to the COVID-19 virus.
City Manager Kirk Henderson said the library is now closed to the public.
The city continues to take payments at the drive-up window and “we do have a plan in place to work with customers with setting up payment plans to avoid disconnect.”
Henderson said residents and businesses haver responded well after Mayor Ken Smith’s emergency declaration a week ago.
“The public and businesses have been working well with us. Everybody’s been extremely helpful. We’re all just trying to get through all this together. Hopefully all this will be over soon,” he said.
Henderson said the city’s phones at 628-2508 are manned daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. if “there’s something we can do to help.” And after hours, the calls roll over to the police department dispatch.
Special School Board Meeting
The Tonkawa school board will be meeting in special session at noon Thursday.
Items on the agenda include a memorandum of understanding between the board and support personnel and a resolution to grant temporary emergency power to Superintendent Lori Simpson.
The meeting will be by video-conference, but Simpson will be present at the board room. The State Board of Education was to meet Wednesday morning to take up a recommendation to close all schools statwide and go to online learning.
The OSSAA was to meet today to discuss what to do about spring sports statewide.
COVID-19 Update from the Oklahoma State Health Department:
As of March 24, 2020, there are over 100 cases reported in Oklahoma, including five in Kay County. The Oklahoma State Department of Health continues to work with health care providers and are testing individuals who are recommended for testing by a provider. The COVID-19 hotline is Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Those with questions regarding COVID-19 are encouraged to call 877-215-8336.
The Kay County Health Department is working with the Oklahoma State Department of Health in investigation to identify contacts to the confirmed case and providing guidance for those individuals regarding testing and isolation requirements. The Kay County Health Department is communicating with health care providers, public health partners, and Emergency Managers about the current situation. All individuals are encouraged to practice everyday prevention measures such as:
• frequent hand washing or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable;
• staying home when sick;
• cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household ...
