State Health Department deploying mobile testing vans for underserved in OKC

Oklahoma State Department of Health Rolls Out Caring Vans

COVID-19 testing effort ramped up with goal to test 90,000 Oklahomans in May

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 8, 2020) – Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) Commissioner Gary Cox is encouraging all Oklahomans to get tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible with a goal to test 90,000 people during the month of May.

Through a partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma and The Caring Foundation, OSDH is deploying four Caring Vans providing free COVID-19 testing to underserved communities in Oklahoma City, increasing testing accessibility. COVID-19 testing is open to everyone; people do not need to exhibit symptoms to be tested.

Caring Vans will be at the following locations on Friday, May 8, and on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

New County-Specific Data added to OSDH COVID-19 Dashboard

New County-Specific Data added to OSDH COVID-19 Dashboard

Oklahoma City, Okla. (May 7, 2020) – The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) announced today an upgrade to its COVID-19 data dashboard that now allows the public to view the historical number of active and recovered COVID-19 cases by county as well as the historical number of COVID-19 related deaths by county. This data set is now also available for download at coronavirus.health.ok.gov.

The new county data reflects the onset of the disease, including when a person starts experiencing symptoms or when a person tests positive for COVID-19. The data also offers Oklahomans an expanded historical view of the coronavirus’ impact in their communities.

“Our primary responsibility through this pandemic is to provide the most robust and accurate data possible to help public officials and Oklahomans make informed decisions impacting their health and safety,” Health Commissioner Gary Cox said. “We will continue to seek ways to expand the data we provide while learning and gaining valuable new insights as the situation develops.”

OSDH issues guidance for resuming elective surgical procedures

OSDH Issues Guidance for Resuming Elective Surgical Procedures in Oklahoma April 24

In preparation for elective surgeries resuming in Oklahoma on April 24, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) today issued the following guidelines for elective surgery centers and hospitals:

Testing guidelines:

• Elective surgery centers and hospitals must administer COVID-19 tests in partnership with private labs to test all patients prior to surgery. 
• Patients should receive a negative COVID-19 test result within 48 hours of the scheduled procedure.
• Elective surgery centers and hospitals should not perform an operation on a patient with a medical history of COVID-19 until that patient has received two negative COVID-19 test results. 

OSDH Partners with OU and OSU to Expand COVID-19 Testing in Tulsa

OSDH Partners with OU and OSU to Expand COVID-19 Testing in Tulsa

In response to Oklahomans asking for additional testing and at the request of Governor Kevin Stitt, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), the University of Oklahoma (OU), and Oklahoma State University (OSU) are teaming up to offer drive-thru testing sites at university locations in the Tulsa metro area.

This partnership will greatly increase testing capacity in Tulsa while providing additional data to assist the state in responding to COVID-19 and minimizing its impact in Oklahoma. 

Gov. Stitt approves emergency rule to provide hiring flexibilities for nurse aides

GOVERNOR STITT APPROVES EMERGENCY RULE TO PROVIDE HIRING FLEXIBILITIES FOR NURSE AIDES

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 6, 2020)— Following a request from Commissioner of Health Gary Cox, Governor Kevin Stitt today approved an emergency rule that provides approval of temporary emergency waivers for the employment of nurse aide trainees in employer based nurse aide training programs. The emergency rule is effective immediately and valid for the duration of the emergency declaration. 

“Due to the on-going pandemic, access to training and testing for certain health care occupations is limited,” said Gov. Stitt. “Our health care professionals across the state are working hard to effectively keep Oklahomans safe and healthy. This rule will provide these facilities with the flexibility needed to ensure they have the manpower to continue to provide quality care and slow the spread of COVID-19.”

The purpose of the rule is to address impending and actual staffing shortages among health care providers that are required to employ certified nurse aides, medication aides and technicians and feeding assistants. This emergency rule identifies procedures for facilities to document that a licensed health care professional has verified the new employee demonstrated competency in a skill prior to assignment.

“Now, more than ever, our facilities need support and flexibility as they work to field a staff of qualified and compassionate skilled nursing professionals that can enter this challenging environment and succeed,” said Steven Buck, President and CEO of Care Providers Oklahoma. “Governor Stitt and Commissioner Cox have our thanks for supporting our facilities during this crisis and helping to ensure our residents get the professional care they need and deserve.”

This emergency rule is enacted under the emergency rule making authority established in Third Amended Executive Order 2020-07.

New data from private labs shows 10-fold increase of COVID-19 tests dating back to February

New Data from Private Labs Show Tenfold Increase of COVID-19 Tests Administered in Oklahoma Dating Back to February

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) announced today more than 11,000 negative COVID-19 tests were processed by private labs dating back to early February. Due to this newly reported data, OSDH has identified 13,148 COVID-19 tests have been administered in Oklahoma to date.

The new COVID-19 testing numbers were published today in the Governor’s daily COVID-19 report on page five.

“New numbers provided by private labs demonstrate that COVID-19 testing in Oklahoma has been tenfold than what the state could previously report,” said Commissioner of Health Gary Cox. “Private labs have been diligent in reporting positive COVID-19 tests throughout this pandemic in Oklahoma, but it was critical to also receive their negative numbers to understand the full scope of testing. We appreciate the strong partnership of Oklahoma’s private labs that are processing significant volumes of COVID-19 tests on a daily basis.”

Last week, Commissioner Cox issued a letter to remind private labs that the state had designated COVID-19 in early March a disease that is immediately reportable to OSDH. In his letter, Commissioner Cox urged private labs to comply with state statute by reporting both positive COVID-19 test results and negative COVID-19 test results to ensure the agency has the full picture of the virus’ impact in Oklahoma.

Health Commissioner, Gov. Stitt call on county health depts to expand COVID-19 testing

Commissioner Cox Calls for Fewer Restrictions on COVID-19 Testing Across the State

Commissioner of Health Gary Cox issued a letter notifying county health departments today that all COVID-19 testing centers and providers are to loosen requirements for Oklahomans to be tested.

“The State, to include the Oklahoma State Department of Health and Oklahoma State University, has supplies today to process 13,000 COVID-19 tests,” stated Commissioner Cox in the letter. “Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, or those who have been in direct contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, may be tested this week.”

Governor Kevin Stitt and Commissioner Cox are asking for anyone with symptoms of COVID 19 or those who have been in direct contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 to be administered a test this week.

In accordance with Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, COVID-19 symptoms must include fever of 100.4F, cough and shortness of breath.

“The State has partnered with six county health Departments to open drive-thru testing locations, and we are working on further expanding this model to more counties,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “The State encourages all health care providers and public health partners to expand the population of Oklahomans receiving tests. With increased supplies and expanded lab capabilities, the State is committed to generating more data, as transparently as possible, to combat the presence of COVID-19 in Oklahoma and to help save lives.”

The drive thru COVID-19 testing locations can be found online here.

Let me further add that both Governor Stitt and I greatly appreciate your work on the front lines of this public health response,” said Commissioner Cox in closing the letter. “Your dedication and expertise is essential to our success.”

OSDH Commissioner Urges Private Labs to Report All COVID-19 Test Results Daily to State

OSDH Commissioner Urges Private Labs to Report All COVID-19 Test Results Daily to State

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) Commissioner of Health Gary Cox sent a letter Monday to remind Oklahoma’s private labs that the state earlier this month designated COVID-19 as a disease that is immediately reportable to OSDH.

In his letter, Commissioner Cox urged private labs to comply with state statute by reporting both positive COVID-19 test results and negative COVID-19 test results to ensure the agency has the full picture of the virus’ impact in Oklahoma.

“The Oklahoma State Department of Health is committed to delivering as much transparent data to the public on COVID-19 as state and federal law allows, and it is critical for private labs to help us achieve this mission by reporting daily to the agency both the positive and negative COVID-19 test results to achieve a complete picture of this virus’ impact,”  said Commissioner Cox. “In the past month, the state has expanded its public-private partnerships with multiple labs to process COVID-19 tests, and we appreciate how these partnerships have resulted in quicker insight to the number of positive cases throughout Oklahoma.”

In the letter, Commissioner Cox reminds private labs that a failure to report COVID testing results to the OSDH is subject to civil and criminal penalties.

On Monday, OSDH began providing in the Governor’s daily COVID-19 report, published by OSDH pursuant to Executive Order 2020-07, a list of agency's private lab partnerships and each lab’s processing capacity for COVID-19 tests. The list can be found on page two of the following report from March 30, 2020.

Health Dep't announces public-private partnership to expand capacity for COVID-19 tests, results

OSDH Enters Into New Public-Private Partnership Expanding Oklahoma's Capacity for COVID-19 Tests, Results

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) today announced it has entered into a new public-private partnership with Diagnostic Labs of Oklahoma (DLO) to increase the State of Oklahoma’s capacity for delivering results for COVID-19 tests. As a result of the new partnership, more than 300 test specimens were immediately shipped yesterday to DLO’s facility in Dallas, Texas, for results within the next couple days.

“The Oklahoma State Department of Health appreciates the strengthened partnership with DLO to send COVID-19 test kits to its facilities in Dallas for rapid results,” said Commissioner of Health Gary Cox. “The state is committed to expanding testing and result capacity by building out more public-private partnerships here at home and across the United States. Thanks to action taken at the federal level, we are expecting more supplies to come online in the coming days to support our efforts."

The state’s partnership with DLO will allow current demand for COVID-19 test results to be met within a two- to three-day time frame. The Public Health Laboratory will continue to prioritize its limited in-house supply for delivering results within 24-hours for Oklahoma’s most vulnerable populations. Vulnerable populations are identified as follows:

• Where a cluster of individuals are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, such as a nursing home.
• Individuals who are age 60 or older
• Children or adults who have compromised immune systems

“As this new public-private lab partnership expands Oklahoma’s capacity to deliver timely results, it will allow the OSDH, county health departments, hospitals, health care providers and others begin pursuing innovative options for increasing access to COVID-19 testing,” Cox said.

For more information about COVID-19, visit coronavirus.health.ok.gov.

Stitt taps Gary Cox as Commissioner of State Dep't of Health

GOV. STITT ANNOUNCES GARY COX AS COMMISSIONER OF OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Oklahoma City, Okla. (September 12, 2019) – Governor Kevin Stitt announced today the appointment of Gary Cox as Oklahoma Commissioner of Health, a position that requires Senate confirmation. He will begin leading the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) on Friday, Sept. 13. 

“Gary Cox is a respected and dedicated public health leader in our state who brings over 40 years of experience to his new role as the Oklahoma Commissioner of Health,” said Governor Stitt. “His guidance at the OSDH will play a critical role in our vision to improve health outcomes for all Oklahomans, and I look forward to accomplishing Top Ten results together as we work to efficiently and effectively deliver services and move the needle in this critical area.”

“I am honored to serve Governor Stitt, Secretary Loughridge and the people of Oklahoma as Commissioner of Health,” said Gary Cox. “Alongside the dedicated professionals at the Oklahoma State Department of Health, I look forward to developing innovative strategies toward improving the quality of life for all Oklahomans, which is key to Oklahoma becoming a top ten state. We have the ingredients in place, and I am committed to strengthening our ability to innovate and leverage cross-sector partnerships toward impacting Oklahoma’s most critical health-related outcomes.”

Gary Cox, JD, currently serves as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma City-County Health Department. Cox previously served as an adjunct professor of environmental law at the University of Tulsa College of Law and is presently serving as a visiting associate professor at the University of Oklahoma, College of Public Health. Before joining the Oklahoma City-County Health Department, Cox worked as an environmentalist for the Tulsa Health Department, where he went on to serve as Legal Counsel before eventually serving as Director for 15 years. With more than 40 years of public health experience, Cox has also served in leadership roles, to include Past President of both the Oklahoma Public Health Association (OPHA) and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) who represents 2,800 Local Health Departments nationally. He also serves on the Executive Committees for various national, state and local public health efforts. Cox chaired the Governor’s Joint Commission on Public Health from 2017 to 2018, is a Fellow of US Public Health Leadership Institute and serves on the University of Central Oklahoma President’s Council of Advisors. Cox received a Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa in 1973.

Cox has dedicated his career to improving health, raising the awareness about health issues across multiple sectors, and committing to develop and leverage private and public partnerships to improve community health outcomes. He is committed to a culture of continuous quality improvement and has consistently supported transparent and accountable governance in local health departmental activities, evidenced by the Oklahoma City-County Health Department’s designation as one of the first local health departments to achieve National Accreditation.

“Gary Cox is an outstanding, nationally recognized public health leader. His leadership of the Oklahoma City-County Health Department, and previously of the Tulsa Health Department, has enabled these departments to achieve new levels of excellence in service, health impact, and national recognition. I know he will bring the same excellent leadership to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.” – Gary E. Raskob, Ph. D., Chair, Oklahoma City County Board of Health, & Dean, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

“Gary is a thoughtful and forward-thinking leader with a great track record of pulling together cross-sector teams of influence in order to affect change in the public health arena.  He understands the fundamental intersection between health, education and the economy and how each impacts the other. Gary’s track record clearly shows an increase of investment and resources going into the community, which directly impacts the lives of Oklahomans and makes Oklahoma an attractive place to do business in.” – Erika Lucas, Board Member, OKC-County Health Dept & Founder, StitchCrew

“The appointment of Gary Cox as the State Commissioner of Health is a great win for the people of Oklahoma.  In my fifty years of service at the Tulsa City-County Health Department I have never seen such profound leadership as he served the community, and his subsequent service at the OKC-County Health Department echoed the same sentiment of leadership.  I am thrilled at Governor Stitt’s vision to name such a great leader in the field of public health to take our state to the next level.” – James O Goodwin, JD, former Chairman, Tulsa-City-County Health Dept & Owner, Oklahoma Eagle.