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Health officials in Oklahoma are urging Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt to issue an emergency declaration that would allow for expanded care for those with COVID-19. 

 

It's something the governor has said he will not do. 

 

Dr. Mary Clarke is president of the state medical association. She says such a declaration would mean hospitals dealing with an increase in cases could convert areas such as conference rooms into bed space for non-COVID patients. An emergency order would also allow public schools to issue mask mandates. 

 

Stitt ended the state’s previous emergency declaration in May and during a news conference Friday, he said he has no plans to issue another.