TESTING MILESTONE
Oklahoma CityCounty Health Department has taken samples to run 5,000 COVID-19 tests
Oklahoma City-County Health marks 5,000 COVID-19 samples taken
The Oklahoma CityCounty Health Department announced on Wednesday that it had collected 5,000 nasal swab sample sat the Fairgrounds Bennett Event Center in Oklahoma City over the past eight weeks.
The department used the milestone to thank all its nurses on National Nurses Day for fighting on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Whether on the front lines sampling individuals or behind the scenes performing contact tracing, answering public questions about symptoms, or providing continuous general health care, our nurses have a strong love for their community,” Executive Director Dr. Patrick McGough said. “Which is the key to keeping the public healthy and safe.”
The county health agency also announced an additional testing site is coming to the Belle Isle Walmart at 1801 Belle Isle Blvd in Oklahoma City beginning on Friday. The site will be open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fri days from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
The Walmart Supercenter at 3301 SW 104 continues to take appointments for those who suspect they have COVID-19 symptoms.
To schedule an appointment: www.doineedacovid19test.com
OKCPS to launch summer meal program
Oklahoma City Public Schools will begin its summer meal program on May 13.
Summer meals for those age 18 and under will be available at 23 schools sites on weekdays through June 30. The district is providing “Grab & Go” breakfast and lunch at no cost under the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Breakfast and lunch can be picked up at the same time.
Families can pick up meals using the designated walk-up line or by using the drive-thru service at each meal site. The district is asking that families continue to practice social distancing at all times while picking up meals.
The district will also offer a hot meal curbside option at a number of sites.
In the event of rain or inclement weather, off-site locations will close and school locations may close or modify pickup. Please monitor the district's website and social media for information on any changes to meal service due to weather.
For meal-site locations and times, visit: www.okcps.org/ summer meal service.
Three counties receive emergency food and shelter fundsa
Oklahoma, Canadian and McClain County have been chosen to receive $ 283,160 in funding through the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board to supplement emergency food and shelter programs, as well as an additional $403,705 in funding through the recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
A board consisting of local government and nonprofit representatives will determine how the funds will be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area.
The agencies chosen to receive funds must be private, voluntary nonprofits or units of government, be eligible to receive federal funds, have an accounting system, practice non discrimination, have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/ or shelter programs and, if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board.
Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds may visit www.unitedwayokc.org/ efs for more information
The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board is a program of the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, The Salvation Army, United Jewish Communities and United Way of America.