The City of Seminole will be estimating water bills this month due to a reduction in its workforce caused by COVID-19.

“In any effort to keep the public informed we wanted to advise our customers that their bills will be estimated this month,” Briana Wymore, the city’s public information officer, said in a statement released Wednesday morning.

“On a normal month we read each meter. However, due to the effects of COVID upon our staff, we are unable to complete our reading routes. The only option is to estimate based upon the 12 months previous usage,” Wymore said.

According to Wymore, any differences between a customer’s estimated water usage and the actual usage will be automatically adjusted on their next bill.

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) there were 120 active cases of COVID-19 in Seminole as of Wednesday. The countywide total was 227.

The OSDH says if you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, follow the steps below to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.

Stay home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.

Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.

Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency.