Midwest City addresses corona virus concerns

Senior center temporarily closing

The City of Midwest City is coordinating with local healthcare providers and the OKC County Health Department to ensure the safety of the community.

“We are taking concerns about COVID-19 seriously, following the news about it closely and staying in contact with the OKC County Health Department,” said City Manager Tim Lyon.

“Based on the latest information, we are making some changes to protect the health and safety of our citizen customers as well as our staff,” Lyon said. “We are taking extra steps to clean and disinfect surfaces in our buildings and public facilities.”

Lyon also said city employees have been advised to stay home if they have a cold or the flu and the City is asking their residents to do the same.

Effective at the close of business tomorrow, the Senior Center is temporarily closing in an effort to follow the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations that persons 60 years old and older avoid unnecessary contact with crowds. All center classes are suspended.

The AARP Tax Preparation program at the Senior Center and the VITA Tax Program at the Community Center will remain open and steps are being taken to facilitate recommended social distancing for those utilizing those programs.

The Community Center will issue full refunds for any canceled events for which the facility has been reserved. Those who have booked the facility will make their own determinations as to whether their event should move forward.

The Reed Conference Center and Sheraton Hotel will remain open.

The Welcome Center will remain open but will be closed on weekends until further notice.

The Human Resources office remains open but encourages all job applicants to send their applications by email whenever possible.

Neighborhood Association meetings are suspended until further notice.

Customer Service will remain open for receiving utility payments. Customers are encouraged to use the online bill pay option, the drop box for check payments, and the drive through for other transactions.

Municipal Court cases will be heard as scheduled. A rotation in and out of the court will be utilized to maintain social distancing guidelines. Fines can be paid online at paymidwestcity.com or by phone at
800-444-1187.
City Council and Planning Commission meetings will take place as scheduled. Those attending the meetings are encouraged to maintain the recommended six feet of social distance inside the council chambers. The City Council meetings are streamed live on the City’s YouTube channel for those who prefer to watch from home. The council meetings are also available live on Cox Channel 20 on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m.

Spring outdoor league sports begin at the end of March. Teams will need to bring their own water to the City ball parks as no communal water will be provided until further notice.

The 9-1-1 operators will be asking callers questions recommended by the Alliance Midwest Hospital medical director. They will update the questions as needed on the recommendation of the medical director.

The Midwest City Police Department and Fire Department will respond to calls as normal.

Alliance Midwest Medical Center is making preparations to open a fever clinic operated by Emergency Medical Service (EMS), if it is needed.

Those who are sick should not visit an older adult but are encouraged to check on loved ones and older neighbors with a phone call or by using FaceTime, Skype or similar services.

As a reminder, the CDC recommendations include washing your hands as one of the easiest ways to avoid the spread of infectious disease. Wash your hands after using the bathroom, blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, or caring for a sick person and before eating.

Avoid touching your face, stay home when you are sick and clean surfaces that you use frequently, such as your phone.

“Our goal is to implement sensible precautions that can help protect the health and safety of our residents,” Lyon said. “The safety of our community is our top priority.”

Residents are encouraged to visit the OKC County Health Department’s website at www.occhd.org for the latest COVID-19 updates or to call their hotline at 877-215-8336 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. The hotline has Spanish interpretation availa