Coronavirus prompts questions of safety amid large Coachella Valley events

This time of year the season welcomes a list of events going on throughout the Coachella Valley. The closest of those is the BNP Paribas Open, followed by Stagecoach and Coachella.

Thursday morning Riverside County Health officials held a news conference to speak on how Coronavirus will be mitigated throughout the county.

"We take this issue seriously and the situation is changing on a regular basis," Riverside County Public Health Officer, Dr. Cameron Kaiser said.

Residents have expressed concerns over the potential of Coronavirus coming to Riverside County in the coming weeks. Thousands of people will be in town to attend several events going on, including the BNP Paribas Open.

"I’m going to go to the tennis event," La Quinta resident, Jackie Cox said.

Cox isn't too worried.

"I’m just doing the best I can to keep things clean and do preventative things," Cox said.

Many like Cox, will still be attending the event despite international crowds flocking to the area.

"I have no concerns about the Coronavirus here in Palm Springs. I think it’s just overrated," Canadian resident, Marc McLafferty.

Others following BNP Paribas include Coachella, Stagecoach and White Party Palm Springs.

"I have not instructed our large gatherings to cancel," Dr. Kaiser said.

All of that, however, could change.

"If we do make an emergency declaration based on changes in local condition, as a public health officer I do have the ability to shut down such large gatherings. We will do so with as much lead time as possible," Dr. Kaiser said.

Dr. Cameron Kaiser with the Riverside County Department of Public Health says it will initially be up to event organizers to keep good stock of their attendees. He says the department will support a decision if in fact, cancellations are made.