With zero confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus 2019 in Butler County and an emergency plan for pandemics in place since 2007, the county’s emergency services advised residents to stay calm.

The Department of Emergency Services’ pandemic plan was developed with the state’s Department of Health and local health officials. The plan is meant to address a potential long-term impact to county residents and businesses as well as a surge to medical facilities. In response to the department getting many questions, it released a statement last week addressing a number of them.

Butler County government does not have the statutory authority to close commercial venues, but they are encouraging all unnecessary gatherings and venues to close in accordance with the governor’s office, Pennsylvania Department of Health and/or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.

Butler County has not issued a declaration of disaster or emergency at this time.

Resources have not been depleted, and critical facilities have not been overwhelmed with patients. The county is following the guidelines for the CDC and state Department of Health. And as a guideline, it uses the CDC Community Mitigation Strategy.

County government facilities will remain open, but officials are asking that only essential in-person business be conducted.

A special election for the state House of Representatives’ District 8 will take place as scheduled today in the following Butler County municipalities:

Brady Township, Center Township, Cherry Township, Clay Township, Franklin Township, Harrisville, Marion Township, Mercer Township, Muddy Creek Township, Portersville, West Liberty, West Sunbury and Worth Township.

If anyone has questions regarding COVID-19, contact the state Department of Health at 1-877-PA-Health or call 2-1-1 for any food or nonemergency needs.

In the department’s announcement, it is noted that the virus spreads through the air similar to a flu or cold virus. Close personal contact, coughing, sneezing, touching, shaking hands or touching infected surfaces are all ways it is spread.

Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath and can appear in as few as two days to as long as 14 days. If people exhibit any of these symptoms, they should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

The department will have a similar update Wednesday.