Tennessee confirms first case of coronavirus

Tennessee confirms first case of coronavirus

This morning we know the white house canceled the president visit to the centers for disease control and prevention in atlanta.

This visit was announced earlier this week after the first death in the u-s from the coronavirus.

Yesterday -- health officials confirmed the first case in tennessee.

The health department says the patient is a 44-year-old williamson county man.

That is about 30 minutes south of nashville and two hours from huntsville.

Right now, he's isolated in his home, with mild symptoms. officials say he has a school- aged child, but they don't think the virus was spread to other students.

For now -that student is being kept out of school as a precaution.

With coronavirus officially confirmed in our neighboring states of florida, georgia and tennessee, health officials are working to inform the public on how to stay safe.

Waay 31's rodneya ross joins us live with how the state of tennessee is working to stop the virus from spreading.

First and foremost right now we're being told the best way to stop the virus from spreading is to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds or use hand sanitizer if you don't have access to a sink.

With the first confirmed patient, the tennessee department of health is working to keep people informed by launching a coronavirus pubic information line.

The health department assures people the overall risk remains low.

But some people in lincoln county are taking precautions to keep from getting sick.

"the best thing you can do, i understand, is stay at home, wash your hands and don't shake hands with anybody, so that's what i try to do."

"i'm not traveling like i usually do.

I'm really paying attention to the news, and i have stocked up on food in case one of us has to go into quarrantine."

The tennessee hotline is available every day from 10 in the morning to 10 at night.

Even though there are no confirmed cases in alabama, the state health department here is also working on a phone line for questions you may have