Yesterday, all state and local leaders received an email from the White House with up-to-date information from the Administration’s Coronavirus Task Force. Part of the letter read as follows:

Under the leadership of President Trump and Vice President Pence, the full weight of the U.S. Government is working to protect the health and safety of the American people. Decisive action from President Trump at the beginning of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak—including prudent travel restrictions and an early containment strategy—has given state and local officials and private sector partners time to prepare.

Last month, the President formed a Coronavirus Task Force, led by Vice President Mike Pence and comprised of subject-matter experts, to organize a whole-of-government response. The Administration and Coronavirus Task Force have and will continue to work with State-Local-Tribal officials and private sector and non-profit partners in preparing for and responding to the Coronavirus. It is important to note that at this time, the risk of infection for Americans remains low, and all agencies are working aggressively to monitor this continuously evolving situation and to keep our partners and the public informed.

The Coronavirus is also being addressed at the state level. Governor McMaster convened the State’s Public Health Emergency Committee to discuss the state’s preparedness for the potential impact of the coronavirus. As of Monday, there have not been any confirmed cases in the state.

The South Carolina Department of Heath and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) has updated their website with what is being done at the state level. DHEC continues to encourage people who have not been vaccinated to get the flu vaccine, saying that it protects individuals and the public, and reduces confusion of more common respiratory illnesses with possible COVID-19 illnesses.

Other steps DHEC recommends include:
• washing your hands
• covering your cough
• staying home when you’re sick
• appropriately disposing of tissues and other items that you’ve sneezed or coughed into

The links below have more information on the coronavirus as it pertains to individuals, businesses, healthcare professionals, healthcare facilities, colleges, schools, childcare centers, and more.

SCDHEC Coronavirus Update 3/2/20

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus Update