Statewide school closures had already been ordered in about 35 other states.

As of last Thursday, Gov. Kevin Stitt said he and other state leaders were working with local school leaders across the state “to evaluate the developing situation on a daily basis.”

Asked Monday whether there was any local resistance or reluctance to closing schools, Hofmeister indicated there had been but attitudes have changed over the last several days.

"A lot has changed since last Thursday. Once we saw community transmissions, that was the time to seek closure," she said. "Everyone is assessing where they are and we are making decisions on the information we have today ... I will say this: There’s going to be a hardship this brings and we recognize that. But we are balancing that with what we believe is the most important step for the well-being of the families being served and the communities in which they live."

On Monday, Stitt said authorizing Oklahoma's public schools to shut down "is the right thing to do based on current guidance from the CDC.”