Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced Friday that she has convened a Coronavirus Response Team to prepare for a potential outbreak of the disease.
The team includes representatives from agencies including the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon State Police and the Oregon Military Department.
Brown said Friday there aren't any confirmed cases of coronavirus in Oregon and the risk of contracting the disease for Oregonians remains low.
“However, in an escalating global health crisis, we must make sure we are as ready and informed as we can be,” Brown said in a statement.
Earlier this week, the Oregon Health Authority said it is monitoring 76 people for the virus who had either traveled to China or have close ties to someone else who traveled to China.
Clark County Public Health in Southwest Washington is currently watching 12 people for potential coronavirus, according to The Columbian. None of those people have exhibited symptoms but had recently traveled from mainland China.
The Oregon team plans to meet regularly to coordinate response and preparation to the virus as well as make recommendations to the governor for public health.
Since the first reported cases of coronavirus, or COVID-19, Brown said state agencies have already begun preparations in Oregon including reviewing readiness plans, providing health education and monitoring health care availability.
Public awareness is crucial to preventing the spread of the disease, a statement from Brown’s office said.
Copyright 2020 Oregon Public Broadcasting