Surge in Covid-19 cases could put Tulsa hospitals in Tier 3 status

There were more blunt words from city, county, and hospital leaders today, as the number of Covid-19 cases in Tulsa hospitals continues to climb.

19.4 percent of all patients are covid patients, which puts Tulsa hospitals very close to Tier 3 status, the second most severe of the four tiers in the state’s hospital surge plan.

If they go above 20 percent for three consecutive days, they’ll be at Tier 3.

Officials are urging people to avoid large gatherings, even at Thanksgiving.

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum acknowledges that it will be difficult, citing the holiday as one of his own favorites, but he says he will set an example with his own extended family.

“And we’re Catholic, so there’s a lot of us. Usually we have over a hundred people at Thanksgiving. This year, it’ll be my wife and I and our two kids at home by ourselves,” Bynum said.

Dr. Bruce Dart with the Tulsa Health Department gave a stark warning.

He says if people accidentally infect a family member at Thanksgiving, that family member could be dead by Christmas.

Cox Media Group