CLEVELAND, Ohio — The novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, has hit Ohio.

The state’s first three confirmed cases of the disease, all in Cuyahoga County, were announced today by the Ohio Department of Health. All three are people in their 50′s who recently traveled outside the state, according to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.

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Gov. Mike DeWine today declared a state of emergency.

This afternoon we learned that three Ohioans have tested positive for #COVID19. It's important for us to take aggressive action to protect Ohioans, and therefore, I have declared a state of emergency in #Ohio. — Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 9, 2020

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness with symptoms similar to those of the flu — fever, cough and shortness of breath — that has sickened thousands and killed 3,100 in China, according to the World Health Organization. There is not yet a vaccine for COVID-19, nor are there any medications approved to treat it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

So far, the virus has spread to 102 countries, according to the WHO.

In January, two Miami University students, who recently traveled to China, tested negative for the coronavirus. Testing for the illness involves a nasal and mouth swab, blood sample and lower respiratory sputum sample. Since then, a dozen Ohioans have tested negative for the virus.

For most Americans, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low, the CDC said.

Health care workers caring for patients with COVID-19, people in close contact with people who have COVID-19 and travelers returning from affected international locations are at elevated risk of exposure.

As persons under investigation are found either positive or negative for COVID-19, these also are reported on the website. If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19, ODH will notify the local health department and the public right away, regardless of the posting schedule.

Latest COVID-19 statistics, as of 3 p.m. Monday:

Countries, territories and areas with confirmed cases: 102

U.S. states reporting cases: 35

Total cases in U.S.: 423

Total deaths in U.S.: 19

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