Gov. John Carney declared a state of emergency on Thursday, after three more cases of the coronavirus were announced in Delaware, bringing the total to four.

All were in Newark and all related to the University of Delaware.

The state of emergency takes effect at 8 a.m. Friday, March 13. It directs the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and state's Division of Public Health to deploy state resources to respond to the coronavirus.

The health department immediately recommended that Delaware nursing homes, long-term care facilities and adult day-care centers temporarily end visitation, in order to reduce health risks to residents and clients.

The declaration requires the Delaware National Guard to "take precautionary and responsive actions to assist with Delaware’s response to the coronavirus," according to a news release.

MORE:Coronavirus in Delaware: 3 new cases brings Delaware tally to 4, latest updates

Event organizers are also advised to cancel nonessential gatherings of more than 100 people. The declaration allows the state to conduct public meetings electronically. It also prohibits price gouging during the coronavirus outbreak.

In the three new cases, all are under 30 years old and are associated with the University of Delaware, officials said. Two are graduate students and one is a postdoctoral researcher.

A UD faculty member on Wednesday became the first Delawarean to test positive for coronavirus. Officials said all four were exposed to the same confirmed case of COVID-19 at an off-campus event in another state. All are in a quarantined environment.

READ:With Newark ground zero in Delaware coronavirus spread, students leave

More:How coronavirus is impacting Delaware: Local cancellations, schedule changes

The state of emergency will not require schools or businesses to close or implement any driving restrictions, and state office buildings aren't required to close, according to the release.

Full-time and casual or seasonal state employees may be eligible for 14 or 30 days of paid emergency leave if they have to care for a family member or are forced to miss work due to a coronavirus impact, according to the release.

All costs related to testing of COVID-19 will be waived for those covered by the state's health plan.

The health department recommended Thursday that Delaware nursing homes, long-term care facilities and adult day-care centers temporarily end visitation, in order to reduce health risks to residents and clients.

More:Delaware's Beebe Healthcare announces visitor restrictions due to coronavirus fears

Those who have concerns or questions about the virus can call (866) 408-1899 or email questions to DPHCall@delaware.gov.

Contact Meredith Newman at (302) 324-2386 or at mnewman@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @merenewman.