SAN FRANCISCO — The mayor of San Francisco has declared a local State of Emergency for the coronavirus.
Although there have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus [COVID-19] in San Francisco, San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced on Tuesday the declaration in order to strengthen the city's preparedness for the virus.
According to ABC7 in the Bay Area, Breed said during a press conference the city is, "prioritizing the safety of our communities by being prepared." The declaration helps the city start to plan for any mobilization of city resources and coordination between multiple agencies across the city. It also allows for future reimbursements from the state and the federal government.
"Our number one goal is the health and safety of all our residents," Breed said during her press conference.
The declaration went into effect on Tuesday, Feb. 25. It is scheduled to be voted on by the city and county of San Francisco on Tuesday, March 3.
So far, there have been more than 80,000 cases and 2,700 deaths globally since the coronavirus first came about in December 2019 in China. The virus has spread to roughly 30 countries, including the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and as of Tuesday, Feb. 26, there have been 14 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States.
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