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LOCK HAVEN -- Although there are no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania, central Pennsylvania government, schools and hospitals are prepared -- should the virus hit the region.
The coronavirus outbreak has surpassed 90,000 confirmed cases worldwide. A little more than 100 cases have been reported in the United States.
In Centre County, county administrator Margaret Gray talked about the county's role at Tuesday's county commissioners meeting.
"We are closely monitoring and following advice from the CDC -- Center for Disease Control. But within Pennsylvania, (we are listening to) our Pennsylvania Department of Health and our Pennsylvania Emergency Management Association," Gray said.
Since Pennsylvania has yet to see a case of the coronavirus, Gray said the approach is simple.
"Our approach is to be prepared and not to panic," Gray said. "We're approaching it in a three-prong way. We're looking at the environment, we're looking at employee support and guidance and we're looking at emergency management."
According to Gray, environment is a big piece of the puzzle.
"So, environment, basically, is what we can do every day to make our offices as hygienically safe for our employees and for the visiting public," Gray said.
The county would allow its employees to work from home, if necessary, Gray said.
UPMC Susquehanna addressed coronavirus concerns in a recent news release.
"As with all emerging infectious diseases that cause global health concerns, UPMC is staying informed of developments with coronavirus," the news release stated.
The health network says it is "taking proper precautions to enable us to quickly and safely triage anyone with the disease, should they arrive at any of our facilities."
Like UPMC, Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College is following the most current Centers for Disease Control guidelines on COVID-19 -- the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus. According to its website, Mount Nittany is working closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Health on policies and procedures related to COVID-19.
Currently in Pennsylvania, samples from people who potentially have COVID-19 must be forwarded to the CDC for testing. Pennsylvania's health department is expected to have the ability to test for the virus in the state lab this week, though results will still be sent to the CDC for confirmation.
Local schools are also preparing.
The Keystone Central School District sent an email to parents from Christina Manning, director of Pupil Services.
The email reads: "As the COVID-19 coronavirus leads many news broadcasts and information is being widely disseminated, we wanted to share how this virus relates to our district and what we are doing to be prepared. The Centers for Disease Control has advised the school district to review their preparedness plans, which includes responding to potential pandemic outbreaks and we are undertaking this action.
Additional measures include:
-- Monitoring daily attendance for students, faculty and staff.
-- Monitoring various outlets including CDC, PDE, and PA Department of Health as well as working with the local Infectious Hazardous Planning Group.
"For your reference, the PA Department of Health has a coronavirus resource page that includes valuable information. Additionally, the latest information on the coronavirus in the U.S. and worldwide can be found on the CDC website.
"Because we are in the height of cold and flu season, please remember the importance of frequent hand washing, healthy eating, and proper use and disposal of tissues at all times. For families who might be traveling this spring, the school district recommends referencing the CDC Information for travel website.
"As always, the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff is our utmost concern, and we will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and communicate as necessary."
Bellefonte Area School District superintendent Michelle Saylor also sent a district-wide email addressing concerns over the coronavirus.
The email said: "As we move through the current flu season and begin to understand the effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) we are sharing follow-up information from our February 2020 nurses' post. The update can be accessed from the district website at www.basd.net listed under announcements. Additional resources are available at the end of the document. We'd like to remind everyone that the best prevention is frequent hand washing with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds. Keep unwashed hands away from your face. Stay home if you are feeling ill. As we receive more guidance from PDE or the CDC we will continue to post updates."
The state Department of Health reminds everyone of basic personal hygiene practices to combat the flu and COVID-19. They are:
-- Covering coughs or sneezes with elbow instead of hands.
-- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitzer if soap and water are not available.
-- Clean surfaces frequently, including countertops, light switches, cell phones, remotes and other frequently-touched items.