LOC News
What Cities Need to Know About COVID-19
COVID-19, a strain of the Coronavirus, is currently infecting people in 47 countries, including 59 cases in the United States. This is a zoonotic virus, in the same strain and SARS and MERS, and has a basic reproductive number in the range of 1.4-6.9 with a media of 2.79, meaning that each infected person will infect 2.79 other people. The current overall fatality rate is estimated at 2.3%, but is much higher for people suffering pre-existing conditions and varies greatly on several factors. View more information on the fatality rate
Here are some steps city leaders can take to protect themselves and their communities in the event COVID-19 spreads:
- Protect their own health and the health of their employees by following these guides published by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Publicize the above guide in their communications with their residents and employees; and
- Adopt, if they haven’t already, the policies cities use to avoid influenza outbreaks.
Additional Resources for Cities:
Coronavirus Fact Sheet - Oregon Health Authority
Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Preparing Local Government Workplaces for the New Coronavirus - University of North Carolina School of Government