The news media has been widely reporting the global reach of the most recently discovered coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The most common symptoms of this particular coronavirus are fever, fatigue, and dry cough. Some patients have reported aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. 

There is no conclusive data suggesting that U.S. residents are about to face a corona pandemic and there is heightened border security and highly engaged health organizations sharing facts and information regularly. However regardless of whether this particular coronavirus reaches a critical level, experts say it is only a matter of time before America will face an influenza pandemic.

The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has been actively preparing pandemic preparedness scenarios for just such an event. The CDC estimates that millions Americans could lose their lives during a category 5 (worst-case) influenza pandemic, assuming that a vaccine to fight a specific influenza strain would not be available during the early stages of a pandemic.

The CDC would need to bring together public health officials, health care professionals, researchers and scientists in the U.S. and globally to assist international, national, state and local governments, public health and health care professionals, corporations, and communities to respond to a pandemic.

The CDC has outlined some of the steps that would need to be taken:

– Isolation and treatment of those infected, either in their home or hospital/medical care setting, depending on the severity of the illness and the capacity of the healthcare infrastructure.

– Voluntary home quarantine of those with confirmed or probable influenza.

– Cancelling school and child care programs.

– Adoption of social-distancing measures to reduce the risk of contact between adults.

– Cancelling large public gatherings, increasing telecommuting and modifying the workplace environment to prevent the spread of illness.

In the event there is a health emergency affecting our community and residents living in our apartments in Philadelphia, our properties will follow the recommendations and advice of the CDC and government officials as comprehensively as possible, including cancellation of social events and other public gatherings until the risk of contagion has passed. 

We will also work tirelessly to support residents with up to date information and provide assistance to the sick, elderly and homebound who may be in need of special services and support.