Update on the Coronavirus - NAPNAP

Update on the Coronavirus

Update on the Coronavirus

Updated March 6

NAPNAP’s 2020 conference is proceeding as scheduled on March 25-28 in Long Beach, Calif. NAPNAP continues to closely monitor the updates provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the coronavirus (COVID-19). The health, safety and well-being of NAPNAP members and our communities are our highest priority.

According to the CDC, for most of the American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low.

NAPNAP staff is meeting on a regular basis with key conference stakeholders, including Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and Long Beach Health Department to evaluate any risk in the host city.

On March 4, the City of Long Beach declared local health and city emergencies to strengthen the City’s preparedness and ability to respond to COVID-19. The act of declaring a state of emergency means implementing legal documents that will mobilize City resources, accelerate emergency planning, streamline staffing, coordinate agencies across the city, allow for future reimbursement by the state and federal governments and raise awareness throughout Long Beach.

Locally, there have been no cases of COVID-19 reported in Long Beach at this time.

The Health Department continues to closely monitor the situation and is in constant communication with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), local hospital emergency departments, urgent care centers and local providers to obtain and provide the most updated guidance.

Long Beach’s Mayor Robert Garcia announced that the Long Beach Airport is undergoing extra cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched objects. The local government is in the process of making hand sanitizer available in every public facility. At the Port of Long Beach, crews on ships arriving from select countries are being quarantined on the vessels.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is also taking extra measures including installing more than 250 additional hand sanitizer stations throughout terminals, cleaning public areas and restrooms at least once per hour using virus and bacteria-killing disinfectants and increasing deep cleaning throughout the airport, focusing on “high touch” areas at the airport like handrails, escalators, elevator buttons and restroom doors.

Web resources have been created to help the community learn more about what they can be doing to remain healthy, and stay up to date on this rapidly evolving situation. This site is updated twice daily, and has resources including FAQ and information on symptoms and prevention.

Posted March 2

NAPNAP’s 2020 conference is proceeding as scheduled on March 25-28 in Long Beach, Calif. NAPNAP is closely monitoring the updates provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the coronavirus (COVID-19). The health, safety and well-being of NAPNAP members and our communities are our highest priority.

Registration for the conference continues to grow with nearly 60 new registrations over the past seven days. Cancellations remain under 0.03%. In an abundance of caution, NAPNAP’s 2020 conference will be a handshake-free zone. Please be courteous to your fellow attendees and ask permission before other physical contact. The CDC recommends covering coughs and sneezes with an elbow or tissue and frequent hand washing.

According to the CDC, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low in the United States. People at a slightly higher risk include those returning from international travel (depending on the country), people in close contact with those currently infected and healthcare workers treating patients with the virus. The NAPNAP conference has very few international attendees.

For those traveling to the 41st National Conference on Pediatric Health Care

  • Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center (LBCEC)
    • NAPNAP remains in constant contact with the LBCEC to ensure safety and infection control measures are increased over typical practices. Per CDC recommendations that facilities increase disinfecting and cleaning of frequently touched surfaces:
      • LBCEC has increased its infection control resources by adding 30 additional new hand sanitizer stations throughout the center.
      • LBCEC has a disinfectant procedure in place for night and day cleanings which includes increasing the frequency of cleaning heavy traffic areas, including handrails and door handles.
    • All conferences hosted at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center are required to have a healthcare provider on-site. NAPNAP participants will have access to this healthcare provider during the conference should they have any concerns.
  • Long Beach City
    • NAPNAP staff is meeting on a regular basis with key conference stakeholders, including Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and Long Beach Health Department to evaluate any risk in the host city.
    • The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) continues to prepare for cases of COVID-19. The Long Beach Health Department continues to closely monitor the situation and is in constant communication with CDC, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), local hospital emergency departments, urgent care centers and local providers to obtain and provide the most updated guidance.
    • Locally, there have been no cases of COVID-19 reported in Long Beach.
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