19
February 29, 2020
For immediate release
Contact: Brian Symmes, 803-673-9437
BSymmes@governor.sc.gov
Gov. Henry McMaster to Convene S.C. Public Health Emergency Plan Committee to Discuss Coronavirus Disease 2019
COLUMBIA, S.C. – On Monday, Governor Henry McMaster will lead a meeting of the S.C. Public Health Emergency Plan Committee to discuss the state’s preparedness for the potential impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-2019) to South Carolinians.
Governor McMaster previously called a meeting of the Committee on January 31st.
The Committee consists of “representatives of all state agencies relevant to public health emergency preparedness, and, in addition, a licensed physician from the private sector specializing in infectious diseases, a hospital infection control practitioner, a medical examiner, a coroner from an urban county or the coroner's designee, a member of the judiciary, and other members as may be considered appropriate.”
While no cases of the COVID-2019 have been identified at this time, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has taken the following proactive steps to protect the health of the public:
WHAT: Meeting of the Committee to discuss the state’s preparedness for the potential impact of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus on South Carolina
WHEN: Monday, March 2, at 10:00 AM
WHERE: South Carolina Emergency Operations Center, 2779 Fish Hatchery Road, West Columbia, S.C.
February 29, 2020
For immediate release
Contact: Brian Symmes, 803-673-9437
BSymmes@governor.sc.gov
Gov. Henry McMaster to Convene S.C. Public Health Emergency Plan Committee to Discuss Coronavirus Disease 2019
COLUMBIA, S.C. – On Monday, Governor Henry McMaster will lead a meeting of the S.C. Public Health Emergency Plan Committee to discuss the state’s preparedness for the potential impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-2019) to South Carolinians.
Governor McMaster previously called a meeting of the Committee on January 31st.
The Committee consists of “representatives of all state agencies relevant to public health emergency preparedness, and, in addition, a licensed physician from the private sector specializing in infectious diseases, a hospital infection control practitioner, a medical examiner, a coroner from an urban county or the coroner's designee, a member of the judiciary, and other members as may be considered appropriate.”
While no cases of the COVID-2019 have been identified at this time, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has taken the following proactive steps to protect the health of the public:
- Developed tools for the investigation of suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases and provided training to epidemiology staff across the state to investigate and report cases.
- Communicated information to hospital laboratories, infection preventionists, and physicians to keep them informed about how to identify and report possible cases to DHEC.
- Communicated information regarding the virus and prevention resources to hospitals, businesses, schools and state agencies across the state.
- Developed this webpage to provide information and other resources about COVID-19 for the public.
- Held an informational briefing for legislators and reporters on COVID-19 preparations and activities in South Carolina on Jan. 29, 2020.
- Held a teleconference for hospital public information officers (PIOs) on Jan. 31, 2020.
- Provided an update for hospital executives at the South Carolina Hospital Association annual meeting on Feb. 5, 2020.
- Briefed the S.C. Board of Health and Environmental Control on COVID-19 preparations and activities in South Carolina on Feb. 13, 2020.
- Held a teleconference for South Carolina university and college PIOs on Feb. 14, 2020.
WHAT: Meeting of the Committee to discuss the state’s preparedness for the potential impact of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus on South Carolina
WHEN: Monday, March 2, at 10:00 AM
WHERE: South Carolina Emergency Operations Center, 2779 Fish Hatchery Road, West Columbia, S.C.
