The National Governors Association (NGA) received a briefing on the U.S. response to the novel coronavirus, which was officially renamed COVID-19 by the World Health Organization this week, during its winter meeting this week, from representatives of the White House-appointed Coronavirus Task Force.
With more than 25 governors in attendance, panelists — including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield, CDC Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases Jay Butler, Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci, and HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Robert Kadlec — noted that though a serious public health matter, the issue remains of low risk to the American public.
Coordination is still underway between federal, state, and local authorities, as the nation addresses 12 confirmed cases of the virus. Worldwide, COVID-19 has produced more than 42,600 confirmed cases and killed more than 1,000 people since December 2019.
At the NGA meeting, governors asked questions of the panelists and discussed collaboration. They also addressed protection and information efforts undertaken for the public, proactive steps taken to slow the virus, temporary travel restrictions, and screening activities, as well as work on diagnostics, therapies, and vaccines.