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Less than a week after the Center for Disease Control said it was only a matter of time before new coronavirus COVID-19 disrupted everyday life in the United States, Gov. Roy Cooper announced the first positive test for the virus in North Carolina.

As of March 4, there were no confirmed cases in Buncombe County. And county officials — including Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Mullendore — have stressed that the case, which was identified March 3 in Wake County, is isolated and does not represent a "widespread community outbreak."

But local entities are working to prepare. Here's what we know about those preparations:

Buncombe is reviewing hazard, pathogen, quarantine plans

Emergency preparedness coordinator Fletcher Tove said the county epidemiology team is reviewing response plans and "adapting them to combat this specific threat."

Plans they're looking at include:

The all hazards base plan

The high consequence pathogen plan

The continuity of operations plan

The isolation and quarantine plan

The Citizen Times has requested copies of these plans. As of midday March 4, they had not yet been provided.

Buncombe Public Health officials also are working to identify potential quarantine locations for sick travelers or those experiencing homelessness, they said at a Feb. 28 press conference.

More:No confirmed Coronavirus in Asheville, but officials tell public to prepare

The county is coordinating its response with several community partners, including healthcare providers and schools. The partners will hold weekly media briefings.

Mission, other health care providers retain supplies, establish procedures

Local health care providers cannot yet test for the virus, but are able to collect specimens. With approval from NC Department of Health and Human Services, they can have samples tested at a state lab.

Mission spokeswoman Nancy Lindell said the availability of personal protective equipment — like masks, respirators, gowns and gloves — is a concern, but that the hospital is "actively securing additional inventory" and implementing policies to assure supplies are used properly.

Mission has protocols in place to protect noninfected patients and health care workers who may come in contact with possible COVID-19 patients, she said.

Are NC hospitals prepared?: With COVID-19 in NC, local health officials react

Spokespersons for Pardee Center for Infectious Diseases in Hendersonville and AdventHealth Hendersonville said the organizations also are retaining supplies and have developed procedures — which include isolation — for patients exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms and presumed positive tests.

Buncombe EMS employees have been trained to assist the county Health and Human Services on house calls for potential coronavirus patients and, if needed, to transport them to a hospital.

What about schools?

Buncombe County Schools spokeswoman Stacia Harris said the system is communicating with the health department, while school nurses develop a COVID-19 response plan.

Dr. Bobbie Short, interim superintendent for Asheville City Schools, said in a letter to ACS families the system's preparations include:

An enhanced sanitizing process, with the maintenance department directed to proactively disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

Plans to add supplemental custodial personnel

Reviews of the food supply purchases to ensure students receive daily meals should coronavirus disrupt deliveries

developing a plan for continued learning should schools be closed due to the virus’ impact

Short said ACS is instructing students and staff to stay home when sick and reminding everyone to wash their hands frequently.

She said the system is communicating with health organizations and reviewing CDC information. School nurses are heavily involved in the conversations, as well.

What do local officials say you should be doing right now?

Mullendore said people should "pay attention to reputable sources of information" on the coronavirus.

Related:North Carolina resident tests positive for COVID-19

As families prepare their homes for the possibility of an outbreak, Tove said they should have a child care plan in place if schools shut down to curb the spread of infection.

He said families should prepare for up to a month of closure.

He suggested stocking up on enough supplies for "two or three weeks."

Items to consider are:

Water

Nonperishable goods

Prescription medicines

Pet food

Toilet paper and other necessities

Where should questions be directed?

A new email account, ready@buncombecounty.org, has been set up to field non-medical questions about how to prepare a business or at home.

General information about COVID-19 in North Carolina can be found at the NCDHHS website, or by calling the NC Division of Public Health hotline at 866-462-3821.

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

Mackenzie Wicker covers Buncombe County for the Asheville Citizen Times. You can reach her at mwicker@citizentimes.com or follow her on Twitter @MackWick.

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