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Rep Anna Eshoo

Eshoo Statement on Coronavirus Case of Unknown Origin in Santa Clara County

February 29, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) released the following statement regarding the confirmed case of novel Coronavirus of unknown origin in Santa Clara County:

"While the reported case in Santa Clara County certainly raises the risk to the public, it nonetheless remains low at this time. This is a rapidly evolving situation in the U.S. and I continue to closely monitor developments with the key federal agencies and our local public health officials," said Eshoo. "I urge my constituents to stay up to date on the latest information about the Coronavirus by visiting the CDC's website and taking the necessary prevention steps including washing your hands frequently, covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze, and staying home when you are sick."

On Friday, Rep. Eshoo attended an unclassified Member briefing on Friday with officials from the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC); Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR); National Institutes of Health (NIH); Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Department of Homeland Security (DHS); Department of State (DOS); and the Department of Defense (DOD). Rep. Eshoo questioned the panel about the steps federal agencies are taking to separate airplanes that have arrived from international destinations from those flying domestic routes and what steps all airlines have been instructed to take to disinfect the airplanes to mitigate further transmission of the disease. Rep. Eshoo has also been actively engaged with the Food and Drug Administration to track issues related to shortages in our nation's drug supply caused by circumstances related to the coronavirus outbreak in China.

Rep. Eshoo also chaired a Health Subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, February 26th on the Trump Administration's budget proposal for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Administration's response to the novel coronavirus outbreak, formally known as COVID-19. The panels included HHS Secretary Alex Azar and public health officials tasked with addressing the ongoing outbreak.

House Democrats are preparing an emergency funding bill to bring to the House floor next week that will provide appropriate and necessary resources to respond to the seriousness of this public health emergency.

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