Gov. Gavin Newsom Wants California to Prep for Coronavirus

As more people around the country test positive for the
coronavirus, California is getting more coronavirus test kits.

Governor Gavin Newsom is reassuring people that there’s no
need to panic but residents 60 or older, or with pre-existing health issues, should
prepare.

Medical staff at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland has a plan in
place if a person walks into their emergency room with symptoms of the
coronavirus.

Staff have already cleared an entire floor for coronavirus
patients. Governor Newsom said he’s anticipating more people will test positive
for the virus.

“Everybody has to wash their hands,” he said.

It’s a lesson every child and adult needs to put in
practice, as more and more people in California continue to test positive for
the coronavirus.

“There’s no reason to panic but there’s every reason to
prepare,” Newsom said.

Before the governor visited Manzanita Community Elementary
School in Oakland to stump for school bond Prop 13 – he was on an hour-long
conference call with Vice President Pence, now leading the federal government’s
response to the outbreak.

Newsom said California is getting more coronavirus test
kits. By the end of the week, 13 labs in the state, up from 8, will be able to
analyze those test samples quickly.  

“The more you test, the more positives will come back from
those tests and we’re anticipating that,” said Newsom.

Newsom said older adults with pre-existing conditions should
be taking precautions, adding California is anticipating extreme events like
the deadly cluster in Washington state that’s killed at least six people.

“Assisting living facilities and the like, that’s where we
have to be most vigilant,” the governor said.

Doctors at Kaiser Permanente In Oakland have been preparing
for months, in case coronavirus patients need to be treated and isolated in
rooms with separate ventilation systems.

A spokesperson for Kaiser Permanente said employees and
physicians are also screening patients about recent travel to affected areas,
to help anticipate risks.

Just within the past hour, the governor is asking
legislators to free up $20 million in emergency funding to help fight the
spread of the coronavirus.

Source: NBC Bay Area