OU’s COVID-19 Expert Meets With CDC To Discuss State’s Pandemic Challenges

The man in charge of OU Medical Center's COVID-19 response team met with the Center for Disease Control and Federal Emergency Management Agency Wednesday afternoon.

Dr. Dale Bratzler told News 9 medical experts are trying to stop the spread of COVID as they continue to request more funding for public health.

Dr. Bratzler spoke before the Tulsa City Council Wednesday.

He said he also advocated for masks at OU Medical Center and the city of Norman.

"We are trying to affect change at local and city councils, mayors and others. We did it effectively working with Norman," said Dr. Bratzler.

He said while early on the CDC did not recommend masks, there was a variety of reasons such as limited information and resources.

"What we know now, masks--even simple cloth stitched masks--are incredibly effective at preventing those droplets from ever getting out of your mouth and getting into the air around you," said Dr. Bratzler.

New data shows as cases rise and exposure grows, more Oklahomans are seeking COVID testing.

Bratzler is reminding the public that science shows when a person wears a mask, that facial covering prevents the spread of the virus.

"Masks have been shown in good studies, 29 different studies, that they reduce the transmission from one person to another by about 85 percent," he said.

Dr. Bratzler said his team, along with the CDC, are preparing for what could be next.

They said public health needs more funding.

"The CDC and FEMA representatives came into the university today to learn more about what challenges we are facing, and how they as the federal government can potentially help us," Bratzler said. "Not only in this pandemic, but in the next one"

News 9 also reached out to SSM Health.

They said the number of people seeking a COVID test has tripled since the beginning of the pandemic.