Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt said during a press conference Thursday that he won’t consider shutting down the economy as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the state.
"If you close down, you’re still going to have these ebbs and flows. It could last for the next two years," Stitt said. "We have to learn how to deal with this. How to keep ourselves safe. And I think that Oklahomans are doing a really really good job."
Most non-essential businesses have been open since May 1 after closing due to orders from Stitt and local mayors in late March.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health reports that as of Friday, another 395 cases of COVID-19 were reported. Additional data shows the number of people currently hospitalized from the coronavirus in Oklahoma is 308, a 56 percent increase from last Friday.
Stitt added that Oklahomans need to continue taking the coronavirus seriously by washing their hands, practicing social distancing and protecting vulnerable populations, but he said he is reluctant to create mandates.
