With the novel coronavirus continuing to make headlines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention invited the media inside its state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Center on Thursday.

This is where CDC experts monitor information 24 hours a day, and not just about the coronavirus. They also respond to other outbreaks and public health emergencies such as hurricanes, earthquakes and oil spills.

The 24,000-square-foot facility seats up to 230 people at a time.

Jay Butler, the CDC's deputy director for infectious diseases, speaks to reporters.
Jay Butler, the CDC's deputy director for infectious diseases, speaks to reporters.
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A clock shows different time zones in the Emergency Operations Center.
A clock shows different time zones in the Emergency Operations Center.
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A CDC employee works on his computer.
A CDC employee works on his computer.
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The center is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The center is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
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Ed Rouse, the senior advisor for the CDC's Division of Emergency Operations, speaks to reporters in Atlanta.
Ed Rouse, the senior advisor for the CDC's Division of Emergency Operations, speaks to reporters in Atlanta.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
Many of the employees are monitoring the coronavirus outbreak, but that's not all they are monitoring.
Many of the employees are monitoring the coronavirus outbreak, but that's not all they are monitoring.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
CDC employees work at the Emergency Operations Center.
CDC employees work at the Emergency Operations Center.
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A look inside the main conference room at the Emergency Operations Center.
A look inside the main conference room at the Emergency Operations Center.
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