Oklahoma governor shutters more businesses as virus spreads

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  • Governor Stitt begins to batten down the hatches to attempt to weather the storm that is coming. Courtesy photo
    Governor Stitt begins to batten down the hatches to attempt to weather the storm that is coming. Courtesy photo
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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday ordered non-essential businesses to shut down and directed elderly and medically vulnerable people to stay indoors until April 30 as the number of coronavirus cases in the state continued to climb.

Stitt ordered businesses like bars, gyms, hair salons, movie theaters and massage and tattoo parlors to shut down for 21 days in all 19 counties where a positive test has been confirmed and said the order would expand to other counties when cases are detected. In Texoma, two cases have been confirmed in Garvin County and one has been confirmed in Pontotoc County. Restaurants in those counties can serve take-out food, but not have diners inside. He said his order would also prohibit groups of 10 people or more from gathering anywhere in the state.

“We need all Oklahomans to take this really, really seriously," Stitt said. “If we take no measures at all, the cases will outstrip the capacity in our health care system."

The number of cases climbed to 109 on Tuesday, but because of a shortage of testing supplies and few tests being administered, Stitt said he believes the actual number is closer to 500.