First Oklahoman tests positive for new coronavirus

A Tulsa man in his 50s who recently traveled to Italy is the first Oklahoma resident to test positive for the new coronavirus, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced on Friday.

“At this time, there is no evidence of community spread, and the risk to the general public remains low,” Stitt said.

The man is in stable condition and has been quarantined at home with his family since he began exhibiting symptoms, Tulsa Health Department Executive Director Bruce Dart said.

The man was not showing symptoms of the when he returned from Italy to Tulsa International Airport on Feb. 23, Dart said. He called his health care provider when he started feeling signs of a respiratory illness on Feb. 29 and has been quarantined ever since, Dart said.

Organizers with the International Schools Association of the Southwest Arts Festival announced on Friday that they were canceling the annual annual event in Tulsa, which involves 3,500 students and teachers from more than 40 participating schools.

There have been more than 230 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States, scattered across 19 states.

Image Credits: AP