“The Federal Emergency Management Agency said that, contrary to a report earlier this week, the agency is not preparing an emergency declaration in response to the coronavirus and clarified that the Department of Health and Human Services is in the lead on the outbreak.”
“NBC News reported Monday that FEMA officials were preparing for an “infectious disease emergency declaration” by the president, utilizing the 1988 Stafford Act in order to allow disaster assistance traditionally allocated after natural disasters to be offered to state and local governments fighting COVID-19…”
“HHS announced Wednesday that it was transferring $25 million to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help state and local jurisdictions that have shouldered the biggest burden thus far in the outbreak and have immediate funding needs for things such as monitoring of travelers, data management, lab equipment, supplies, staffing, shipping, infection control, and surge staffing…”
“HHS also announced $10 million to a “limited number of jurisdictions” to “begin implementation of coronavirus surveillance across the U.S., building on existing influenza activities and other surveillance systems…” Read the full article here.
Source: FEMA: No Emergency Declaration on Coronavirus, HHS Remains Lead Agency on Response – By Bridget Johnson, March 7, 2020. Homeland Security Today.
