Experience from past health emergencies suggests that in the coming days and weeks hospitals, clinics, and health care systems around the US may need to ensure they have well-functioning surge plans to deal with the advancing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including provisions for increased numbers of staff, hospital beds, and supplies.

The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global health emergency after human-to-human transmission outside of China. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts continued person-to-person spread in the US. 

Author(s): Mahshid Abir, Christina Cutter, Christopher Nelson