US, "Preparing for Possible COVID-19 Pandemic"

CDC, "High Possibility of Local Transmission in the US"
"We Must Buy Maximum Time to Prepare for Infection Spread"

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] A U.S. health official mentioned the possibility that the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) could escalate into a global pandemic and that preparations are underway.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Director Nancy Messonnier said at a press conference on the 21st (local time), "There has been no community spread of (COVID-19) in the United States," but added, "However, it is likely to happen eventually, and it seems very probable."

Director Messonnier emphasized, "Our goal remains to delay the virus from entering the United States," and "We need to buy time so that communities can prepare for more infected individuals and sustained spread."

She further explained, "The CDC is working with local health authorities to prepare for local infection cases and the possibility that this outbreak could develop into a pandemic."

Director Messonnier also predicted the possibility that, assuming COVID-19 spreads within the U.S., schools and businesses could be closed for weeks, similar to China. She stated, "There may come a day when such measures (like those in China) need to be implemented in this country as well."

Messonnier revealed that the U.S. government has decided to change the classification method for confirmed COVID-19 patients domestically. Accordingly, as of the morning of that day, there were a total of 34 patients in the U.S., including 13 patients infected within the U.S. and 21 patients who entered the U.S. while already infected with COVID-19.