Richland County officials met Thursday afternoon to discuss the coronavirus and steps to take, if needed, to protect public health while balancing employee safety and continuity of service to residents.
While no cases of the infectious respiratory disease – coronavirus disease 2019, commonly called coronavirus or COVID-19 – have been confirmed in South Carolina, County leadership is monitoring the outbreak in other areas and preparing a potential response.
“As we work quickly to implement precautionary measures, collaboration and seamless communication will be especially critical,” County Administrator Leonardo Brown said.
Council representatives and administrative personnel reviewed proposed guidelines, as well as information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), to inform the County’s response.
“We are aware of the concerns among residents as more people across the nation contract this virus,” said County Council Chair Paul Livingston. “It is important we act diligently and responsibly to ensure we’re ready to provide a focused and coordinated response that puts residents and employees at top of mind.”
Much like preparation for an impending weather event, the County’s emergency management staff began working on a response plan once the virus was reported in the United States. In addition, department heads are working on contingency plans to maintain County operations in the event staffing levels are affected.
“Preparation is key, and this is no time to spread misinformation and rumors,” Livingston added.
The best sources for information on the national and state levels are the CDC and SCDHEC, respectively.
• Information from the CDC on the coronavirus: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• Information from SCDHEC on the coronavirus: https://scdhec.gov/health/infectious-diseases/viruses/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
To help reduce the spread of germs at County facilities, Richland County’s maintenance team sanitizes common areas throughout the day. Additionally, the County’s Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center has identified areas to quarantine detainees who test positive for the virus.
In South Carolina, counties serve as the main point of contact for emergency response, collaborating with a host of public agencies, nonprofits and other organizations to guide communities through natural and other disasters. Preparing a response to a potential health emergency draws upon the same planning techniques.
Richland County Government is prepared to tap emergency funds, if necessary, to initiate an emergency response.
Further, residents who choose to avoid public areas are reminded that payments, including business license renewals, to the County can be made online at richlandcountysc.gov.