Oklahoma City hospital closed amid coronavirus spread

An Oklahoma hospital system has closed all but its emergency room and some outpatient services at an Oklahoma City hospital because of a ban on elective surgeries due to the spread of the coronavirus.

Integris Baptist Medical Center Portland Avenue in northwest Oklahoma City is being closed and an unspecified number of patients will be moved to another Integris hospital in the city because of a drop in patients, Integris Health spokeswoman Brooke Cayot said Thursday.

She said officials don’t know how long the hospital will be closed but that officials hope to reopen the Portland Avenue campus in the future.

Gov. Kevin Stitt in March issued an executive order suspending elective surgeries and minor medical procedures to preserve supplies of protective equipment like gloves, masks and face shields.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.In Oklahoma there are at least 1,524 cases and 79 deaths, according to the state health department.

(Image Credit: AP)