February 27, 2020 11:20 a.m.
On Friday, Oregon Governor Kate Brown convened a Coronavirus Response Team.
A release from Brown’s office said the group is being tasked with coordinating state and local agencies and health authorities in preparation for response to the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. The release said the team will build on the work of the Oregon Health Authority’s coronavirus incident management team to prepare Oregon to respond to any potential outbreaks of the disease.
Brown said, “let me be clear, as of today there are zero confirmed cases of coronavirus in Oregon, and the risk to Oregonians of contracting coronavirus remains low”. She said that in an escalating global health crisis, the State of Oregon must make sure its as ready and informed as it can be. Brown said the purpose of the Corona Virus Response Team is to ensure that every precaution is being taken, in coordination with local health authorities, hospitals, community health partners, and school districts.
The release said the new team will meet regularly to coordinate response and preparation, to update the Governor as the international situation develops, and to make recommendations to safeguard public health.
The release said along with covering coughs with a tissue, washing hands more often, avoiding close contact with people that are sick, and other common precautions, people should be prepared in other ways to deal with the situation. That includes having two weeks of food, water, prescription medications, pet food, sanitation supplies and anything else that would be needed to shelter in place for an extended period of time, if that becomes necessary.
Check about the coronavirus, by going to: to:https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pages/emerging-respiratory-infections.aspx