According to WATE 6, the new coronavirus, COVID-19, has not yet made its way to Tennessee, but the first case contracted from an unknown source has reached the U.S.

Local health officials said that even though there are at least 15 confirmed cases in the U.S., there is no need to panic.

Here are a few precautionary actions you can take:

1. Wash your hands with warm water for 20 seconds minimum.
2. Most likely spread from moisture droplets from coughs or sneezes. Or from touching an infected surface and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
3. Masks won’t prevent you from getting sick. They help sick people from spreading the disease.
4. No cure or vaccine yet – only medical treatment. The US doing testing of an anti-viral at a facility in Nebraska.
5. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, upper respiratory infection, shortness of breath. Similar to most illnesses. Seek care early if you know of a person who was at risk – mostly international travel.

If you believe you might have the coronavirus, you should call your doctor or hospital first so they can take the proper precautions ahead of time.

For more information click here CDC.Org

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