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BACK TO YOU. >> THIS WAS BREAKING JUST BEFORE THE NEWSCAST BEGAN. OKLAHOMA CITY MAYOR DAVID HOLT DECLARING A STATE OF THE EMERGENCY BECAUSE THE CORONAVIRUS AND THE FIRST CASE OF LOCAL SPREAD. THIS IS PART OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE HELD JUST MINUTES AGO. >> ON THE ADVICE OF THE CITY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT THIS IS A LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WITHOUT PRECEDENT IN THE LAST HALF CENTURY AND UNDER THE AUTHORITY GRANTED ME BY SECTION 1536-38 OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY ORDINANCES, I WILL BE DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN OKLAHOMA CITY. IN THE NEAR TERM, I WILL USE THE POWERS OF LIMITING PUBLIC GATHER, THERE BY GRANTED TO LIMIT CERTAIN THINGS DIRECTLY RELEVANT TO THE FUNCTIONS OF CITY GOVERNMENT, THIS INCLUDES THE REVOCATION OF ALL EVENT PERMITS ISSUED BY THE CITY THROUGH APRIL 12, A LIMITATION ON EVENTS AND GATHERINGS IN CITY FACILITIES OF OVER 50 PEOPLE THROUGH APRIL 12, A MANDATE OF PERSONAL DISTANCE ON PUBLIC TRANSIT AND CESSATION OF WATER CUT OFF FOR UTILITY CUSTOMERS WHO ARE UNABLE TO PAY. THESE ARE TAY'S ACTIONS -- >> I ALSO WANT TO MENTION TODAY THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED SEVEN CORONAV

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Mayor David Holt on Sunday declared a state of emergency for Oklahoma City amid the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak after a locally spread case was discovered in the metro.The decision, which was announced during a news conference with the Oklahoma City-County Health Department, comes days after state health officials confirmed the first coronavirus case in Oklahoma County. At the time, it was the state's fourth confirmed coronavirus case.On Sunday, the Oklahoma State Department of Health announced that three more Oklahomans had tested positive for the coronavirus, raising the state's total to seven. One of those cases was in Cleveland County, which Holt and health officials said they believe was locally spread."Local public health officials have consistently maintained that this was the threshold that should trigger even more proactive measures to protect public health," Holt said.The other two new cases were confirmed in Tulsa County, marking the county's third so far, and Payne County.Oklahoma's first three cases were reported in Tulsa and Jackson counties."On the advice of the City-County Health Department, this is a local, public health emergency without precedent in the last half century," Holt said.As part of the state of emergency, Holt said the city is restricting public gatherings of 50 people in city facilities through April 12. Several organizations in the Oklahoma City metro already have temporarily closed in an attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19.Holt said he applauds everyone who acted independently and proactively to protect the public health.The state of emergency declaration also means all event permits issued by the city through April 12 have been revoked. It mandates personal distance on public transportation and bans water cutoffs for utility customers who are unable to pay. "Today is different than yesterday. Yesterday was different than the day before. One hundred hours ago, we all thought it was OK for 18,000 people to enter the Chesapeake (Energy) Arena," Holt said. "As of today, with the finding of local spread, the message is different and the urgency is greater. And if necessary, all actions to preserve public health in Oklahoma City are on the table."Holt also said the state of emergency and the coronavirus outbreak do not mean people should panic. Instead, he urges people to be aware, take precautions and avoid close, personal contact.Anyone who feels sick is encouraged to self-isolate, and Holt businesses should consider having their employees work remotely, if possible. He also said people should consider not dining in restaurants, instead picking up or having the food delivered."I do not proclaim this state of emergency casually, and I am fully aware of the gravity of the moment," Holt said. "But this is a time to protect the people of Oklahoma City."The city of Oklahoma City will continue to work with local and state health officials as the situation develops. You can watch Holt's and the Oklahoma City-County Health Department's full news conference below.