Gov. Abbott provides update on state's coronavirus response
AUSTIN, Texas - Governor Greg Abbott gave an update on the state's response to the coronavirus following a briefing from the state's top health agencies as well as emergency responders and federal officials.
Today's briefing from Gov. Abbott will be held at the State Operation Center in Austin and is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.
Gov. Abbott says he has been working for the CDC for the past several weeks.
Today's press conference is presumably aimed at calming fears amid the global health crisis especially as multiple big events are about to start including SXSW.
Officials with SXSW released a statement on its website saying that the event is proceeding as planned and say they're monitoring the situation closely.
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Gov. Abbott announced his plans yesterday (2/26) on social media less than an hour before President Trump addressed the nation to discuss the latest efforts to combat the coronavirus.
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President Trump says the risk to the American people still remains very low. This is despite claims from leading health officials who say a widespread outbreak is inevitable here in the U.S.
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Trump also said he doesn't think an outbreak in the U.S. is unavoidable and also says a vaccine is being developed rapidly and that it's coming along very well.
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However the National Insitute of Health says it could be a year to a year and a half before a relevant vaccine hits the market.
Vice President Mike Pence will lead the coronavirus prevention efforts.