CLEVELAND — NASA employees, including those at Cleveland's Glenn Research Center, are being told to work from home on Friday as a test in case of an outbreak of coronavirus.
"As always, the protection and care of our NASA team is the top priority," said Jan Wittry, News Chief at NASA Glenn Research Center in a statement to 3News. "As the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to evolve, NASA is taking various actions to maintain preparedness. To that end, Friday, March 6, will be an agencywide telework day. NASA centers and headquarters regularly perform telework drills to test our capabilities, resources, and preparedness for large-scale teleworking."
Wittry also included NASA's statement regarding its steps to ensure preparedness for coronavirus.
The health and safety of NASA’s workforce is the agency’s top priority. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) concern continues to escalate, NASA is taking steps to ensure its workforce is protected and informed. The agency is coordinating with the White House, State Department, and other federal agencies and officials, and has formed an internal, multi-office working group that will address issues as they arise.
NASA will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the agency’s Chief Health and Medical Officer, and communicate that guidance to its workforce as it becomes available.
According to Politico, a number of Air Force personnel are also taking part in Friday's telework day.
The Ohio Department of Health's COVID-19 webpage reports that there are zero confirmed cases in Ohio as of 2:00 p.m. on Thursday. Three people under investigation, seven people have tested negative for COVID-19, and 255 individuals are under public health supervision.
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