Background
U.S. officials are continuing to monitor and respond to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected and spreading in locations internationally – including in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).
The United States Conference of Mayors has a long history of working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and multiple Administrations in preparing or responding to past infectious disease outbreaks. Thus, we hope the information on this page below serves as a resource for you, city staff, and agency leadership as you continue to keep your residents and businesses best informed and prepared related to this evolving threat.
In addition to the resources here, we encourage mayors to join the Bloomberg Philathropies Coronavirus Local Response Initiative. Learn more here.
Additional Links
For More Information
Operational Best Practices for Mayors
Coordinate
Coordinate your area local governments and ensure you are speaking with one voice.
Declaration
Find out now what your powers would be under a state of emergency and consider declaring one, if you haven’t done so already.
Transparency
Be transparent and honest with the people in your community – transparency can be an effective antidote to fear.
Capacity
Talk to your public health officials and hospital systems so you know their capacities.
Inventory
Do an inventory of your nonprofits and foundations to figure out who external to government can take part in relief and planning efforts.
Schools
Communicate with people responsible for schools – have a plan for childcare and nutrition as a result of potential school closings.
Teams
Consider splitting staff from every department into two teams; 1 for those who are dealing with what’s happening today, 1 for those who are thinking 2 weeks out about what we need to be worried about down the road.
City Guidelines and Best Practices
Mayor are working closely with their local public health agencies to disseminate information to the general public, schools, businesses, outgoing travelers and other. Below are some best practices that you may want to replicate in your city. This information will be updated regularly and the Conference encourages Mayors to share their best practices as a resource to their peers across the country. To share activities and resources with the Conference, please email Dalen Harris.
- San Francisco City Guidance
- New York City Department of Public Health & Office of the Mayor Guidance
- Seattle & King County Public Health
- Chicago Coronavirus Response Center
- Rochester Hills (MI) COVID-19 Information
- Boston COVID-19 City Guidance and Resources
- Louisville: What You Need to Know about Coronavirus
- Los Angeles City Services in Response to COVID-19 & City Guidelines
- Little Rock COVID-19 City Guidelines
- Atlanta Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Response
- Boca Raton City Guidance
- Tuscaloosa City Guidance
- Long Beach City Guidance
- Dallas COVID-19 City Guidance
- Dayton COVID-19 Resources
- Providence COVID-19 City Guidance & External Resources
- Austin COVID–19 City Guidance
- Gresham City Guidance
- COVID-19 Carmel (IN) Cares
- Hallandale Beach (FL) COVID-19 Resources
- Des Moines City Guidance
- Mesa (AZ) COVID-19 City Updates
- Miami COVID-19 Information Page
- Houston Health Department City Guidance
- Columbia (SC) City Guidance
Status of COVID-19 Cases in the United States
These data represent cases detected and tested in the United States through U.S. public health surveillance systems since January 21, 2020. This includes both confirmed and presumptive positive cases reported to CDC. It does not include people who returned to the U.S. via State Department-chartered flights.
This data will be updated regularly by 4pm Mondays through Friday. Last Updated on April 1, 2020.
COVID-19: Cases in the United States Reported to CDC
These data represent cases detected and tested in the United States through U.S. public health surveillance systems since January 21, 2020. This includes both confirmed and presumptive positive cases reported to CDC. It does not include people who returned to the U.S. via State Department-chartered flights.
† CDC is no longer reporting the number of persons under investigation (PUIs) that have been tested, as well as PUIs that have tested negative. Now that states are testing and reporting their own results, CDC’s numbers are not representative all of testing being done nationwide. For information testing and reporting in your state, please check with your State’s Department of Health
How to Prepare and Take Action for COVID-19
Latest Updates from the Conference
Nation’s Mayors Urge President Trump to Fully Enforce the Defense Production Act
Washington, DC—Today, the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging him to fully enforce the Defense Production Act, as authorized by Congress, to increase the production of
Small Business Assistance During COVID-19
The Coronavirus and COVID-19 have ravaged small businesses across the nation. Both the immediate and long-term impacts are still unknown. These businesses are the heart of America’s economy and a critical part of the fabric
Mayors to President Trump: Help Us Secure Critical Covid-19 Emergency Equipment
Washington, DC—Today, the leadership of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump asking for help in securing critical supplies and equipment needed to safeguard first responders and healthcare
CITY DATA: Survey of 213 Mayors Reveals Extent of Shortage of COVID-19 Emergency Equipment
Results find cities in need of PPE, test kits, face masks and ventilators WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) released a new survey of 213 cities from 41 states and
Expanding the COVID-19 Local Response Initiative, Mike Bloomberg Announces New Program to Help Cities Navigate, Access, and Deploy Federal Aid
In Partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors the program will assist Cities in Documenting Costs and Ensuring Proper Reimbursement of Federal Funding to Support Local Response and Recovery March 26, 2020, NEW YORK- Bloomberg
U.S. Conference of Mayors Urges Congress to Lower Population Level Eligible for Aid
Draft House Bill Provides Aid Only to Cities Above 500,000 Residents WASHINGTON – As lawmakers hurry to finalize a legislative package responding to the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) is urging them
NEW: More than 300 Mayors Join Bipartisan Request for $250 Billion Directed to Cities to Fight Coronavirus, Protect Families & Communities
WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier this week, the leadership of the United States Conference of Mayors sent an urgent request to lawmakers as they prepare the next phase of a federal response to the coronavirus outbreak.
United States Conference of Mayors Requests $250 Billion in Localized Aid to Fight Virus, Maintain City Services, Help Workers and Local Businesses
WASHINGTON, DC – As lawmakers deliberate on the next phase of the federal response to the coronavirus outbreak, the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) has sent an urgent request for resources to House and Senate
Nation’s Mayors to Congress: Direct Funding to Cities Critical to Coronavirus Response
Washington, DC—Below is a statement from Bryan K. Barnett, President of the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) and Mayor of Rochester Hills, MI, on the reported bipartisan agreement Congress reached today on a package
Additional Resources
Centers for Disease Control
- CDC Coronavirus (COVID-19) Webpage
- CDC in Action: Preparing Communities for Potential Spread of COVID-19
- CDC Implementation of Mitigation Strategies for Communities with Local COVID-19 Transmission
- CDC Communication Resources
- CDC Considerations for School Closure
- CDC Online Technical Resource and Assistance Center (On-TRAC)
- CDC Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication
- CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel
- CDC Legal Authorities for Isolation and Quarantine
Food and Drug Administration
The White House
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Education
U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development
- COVID: Information and Resources
- Infectious Disease Prevention & Response
- Infectious Disease Toolkit for Homelessness, Shelters and Encampments
Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. Department of State
U.S. Department of Defense
Small Business Administration
- Guidance for Small Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond for COVID-19
- Guidance to Access SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- DHS Coronavirus (COVID-19) Homepage
- Federal Emergency Management Agency Coronavirus Site
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
- Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce
- Customs and Border Protection COVID-19 Updates and Announcements