Organizers respond to potential for coronavirus spread ahead of large-scale events

© Provided by KETV Omaha March Madness

People flooded into the CHI Health Center Arena for Tuesday's Creighton men's basketball game. Outside, signs welcome fans for the NCAA men's basketball tournament later in March.

It's one of many large-scale events the metro is slated to host over the coming months.

As health officials warn that community spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus is likely, what is the potential impact?

The NCAA said in a statement this week, "The NCAA has established a COVID-19 advisory panel of leading medical, public health and epidemiology experts from their respective fields of study and NCAA member schools to guide its response to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease."

"The NCAA is committed to conducting its championships and events in a safe and responsible manner," said Donald Remy, NCAA chief operating officer. "Today we are planning to conduct our championships as planned, however, we are evaluating the COVID-19 situation daily and will make decisions accordingly."

Berkshire Hathaway said it will go ahead with its annual meeting in May, which typically brings in 40,000 people, releasing this statement:

"The Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting will be held on May 2, 2020 irrespective of conditions at that time. The scope of the meeting and associated activities may be modified by circumstances at the time, but we have no present plans to do so."

The Omaha Sports Commission commented on the Olympic Swim Trials in a statement:

"The OSC and USA Swimming continue to move forward with plans to host a successful swim trials and event in June. We are monitoring news of the coronavirus situation and reviewing all information available from state/local health authorities along with the CDC.

Omaha's Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority, the site of all those events and the College World Series, said "Whether (or not) an event happens is at the discretion of its organizer. We're operating business as usual."

Omaha's Maha Festival, scheduled in August, also said, "Maha Festival is set to take place August 5-8, 2020 with safety as the highest priority. We are tracking information related to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, and will coordinate with the Douglas County Health Department and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to follow protocols as they are established, as well as act according to direction from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unless announced otherwise, directly from Maha channels, Maha Festival will proceed as planned."

Visit Omaha said it is not aware of any convention groups or events that have canceled plans in Omaha, though the tourism organization noted some travelers may be unable to reach Omaha due to travel restrictions.

TOP STORIES FROM KETV:

Coronavirus in Nebraska: The latest numbers and how to keep your family safe

Latest on coronavirus at UNMC: 2 leave Wednesday, 1 remains in biocontainment unit

'He was just going to do some amazing things in this world': Friend remembers man killed in crash

NDCS: Food service worker arrested for unauthorized communication with prisoner

Police: Good Samaritan stabbed in the stomach after giving 22-year-old woman place to stay

Iowa bill would require felons to pay restitution to victims before voting rights restored

READ THE FULL STORY:Organizers respond to potential for coronavirus spread ahead of large-scale events

CHECK OUT KETV:Get the latest Omaha news, sports and weather from team at KETV – and find out why we’re Omaha’s favorite news source.