PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) – Allegheny County Health officials are making public their plans for a potential outbreak of coronavirus.
It's only a matter of time until the COVID-19 coronavirus makes its way to Pittsburgh but health officials say it will be awhile before test kits are readily available.
We are looking into getting test kits, it probably won't be for a few months for us to get them here unless things change, that was the last update I (heard), but the state health department is staring to test this week" said Allegheny County Health Department Epidemiologist Dr. Kristen Mertz.
Sample can be sent overnight to Harrisburg and its likely local hospitals are already developing their own testing.
1,000 personal protection kits have already been distributed to police and EMS according to Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich.
The kits include, "eye protection, which include the N-95 mask, which includes sets of gloves and then hand sanitizer," said Hissrich.
Dr. Mertz says there is no need for the general public to start wearing masks.
"We would appreciate if people didn't hoard facemasks and leave them for when people are sick," said Mertz.
For now, Dr. Mertz adds washing your hands is still the best way to prevent diseases from spreading.
No cases of the virus have been reported in the Pittsburgh area and no cases have been confirmed in Pennsylvania.
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