Amid rising concerns nationally about the evolving coronavirus outbreak first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, OSHA has set up a webpage that provides information for workers and employers. The White House also announced the formation of the President's Coronavirus Task Force, which has been meeting every day this week.

OSHA website. On a dedicated webpage, OSHA has posted information about coronavirus, including links to interim guidance and other resources for preventing exposures to, and infections with, 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is closely monitoring the outbreak of respiratory illness. Cases have been identified in a growing number of other international locations, including the United States. The CDC is updating a map of U.S. outbreaks daily. Information on the number of people under investigation will be updated regularly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Preventative steps for workers. OSHA recommends these general steps for all workers who may be exposed to 2019-nCoV:

Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands; and

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

OSHA also makes further recommendations by industry for healthcare, clinical laboratory, airlines, border protection, and waste management workers.

Relevant OSHA standards. The federal health and safety agency also said that while there is no specific OSHA standard covering 2019-nCoV, some OSHA requirements may apply to preventing occupational exposure to the virus. Among the most relevant are these:

OSHA's Personal Protective Equipment standards (in general industry, 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I), which require using gloves, eye and face protection, and respiratory protection.

The General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 USC 654(a)(1), which requires employers to furnish to each worker "employment and a place of employment, which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm."

OSHA also noted that the agency's Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) applies to occupational exposure to human blood and other potentially infectious materials that typically do not include respiratory secretions that may transmit 2019-nCoV. However, the provisions of the standard offer a framework that may help control some sources of the virus, including exposures to body fluids (e.g., respiratory secretions) that are not covered by the standard.

Coronavirus Task Force. On January 30, President Trump announced the formation of the President's Coronavirus Task Force, which was meeting on a daily basis. The task force is charged with leading the federal government's response to the novel 2019 coronavirus and keeping the President apprised of developments. The task force will lead the administration's efforts to monitor, contain, and mitigate the spread of the virus, while ensuring that the American people have the most accurate and up-to-date health and travel information.

Subject matter experts. Led by Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar and coordinated through the National Security Council, the task force is composed of subject matter experts from the White House and several federal agencies, and some of the nation's foremost experts on infectious diseases.