The new coronavirus has made its way to metro New Orleans, with the first presumptive case confirmed Monday and two more confirmed Tuesday. While local authorities have released some details, many questions remain unanswered.

The state's COVID-19 taskforce is scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon.

Here’s what we know and don’t know as of Wednesday about coronavirus in Louisiana.

Louisiana's first presumptive coronavirus case -- and now its second and third

The presumptive first case of the new coronavirus, which has been linked to numerous deaths, has been confirmed in Louisiana, according to the governor's office.

Full story: Louisiana's first presumptive case of coronavirus at VA Medical Center; patient admitted Friday

The person is a Jefferson Parish resident who is at an Orleans Parish hospital. The patient is currently being treated at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in downtown New Orleans, according to a statement from the hospital and an email to hospital staff.

On Tuesday afternoon, the state announced two more presumptive cases. Click here to read more.

What does it mean that the cases are presumptive?

The patient at the VA tested positive for the new coronavirus. The results now need to be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The final results are expected within days.

Who is the first patient and how did he/she catch the virus?

Authorities are not saying much about the patient. We know they live in Jefferson Parish, but we don't know age, gender, city of residence, place of work, etc.

Officials said the patient had not recently traveled overseas.

We also know the patient is a veteran and was admitted to the hospital Friday after they were "deemed appropriate for COVID-19" testing by the state health department.

How is the hospital containing the spread?

The veteran is being cared for in isolation by staff members trained in infection control. Hospital officials said transmission to others is low, but staff members who interacted with the patient before the case was confirmed "are being assessed for exposure" and for possible self-quarantine of two weeks.

Amid likely spread, officials urge residents to stay calm

After Monday's first case was announced, both Gov. John Bel Edwards and Mayor LaToya Cantrell urged people not to “panic” but cautioned the outbreak will likely get worse as it spreads.

Full story: John Bel Edwards: Be 'vigilant' but don't panic as Louisiana gets first coronavirus case

The Louisiana Department of Health said it swiftly launched an epidemiological investigation aimed at finding the source of the virus as well as who the patient came into contact with. Those people will then be asked to self-isolate for 14 days and may be tested for the virus.

Mayor, city officials urge calm after first 'presumptive' coronavirus case in New Orleans New Orleans officials urged residents to remain calm as a Jefferson Parish resident being treated at a hospital in Orleans Parish became the f…

Officials already have identified one person who came into close contact with New Orleans' coronavirus patient. The person is a roommate of an employee at Boudreaux Elementary in Terrytown. The employee has been asked to stay home for at least two weeks.

What should residents do?

As Edwards said Monday, people should listen to health officials, wash their hands and stay home if sick. The elderly and those with underlying health conditions are most at risk from the virus, though 80% of cases have been mild with cold-like symptoms.

How many people in Louisiana have been tested?

It's been a little more than a week since Louisiana gained the ability to test patients with CDC test kits.

A total of 15 people have been tested in Louisiana, but the state has the ability to test between 150 and 650 people. Edwards said once testing ramps up, public health officials will likely discover more cases.

The criteria for testing is still limited to people who have traveled to certain areas and have symptoms, those who have had close contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19 and who show their own symptoms and those with an acute respiratory illness that cannot be explained.

What is the status of the school employee in self-quarantine?

An employee at Terrytown's Geraldine Boudreaux Elementary School is being self-quarantined for two weeks after their roommate had close contact with the patient with a presumptive case of coronavirus. The employee and their roommate have not exhibited symptoms, the school said.

Boudreaux Elementary employee sent home for 2 weeks after roommate had contact with coronavirus patient An employee of Terrytown’s Geraldine Boudreaux Elementary School has been asked to stay home for two weeks after the employee’s roommate had “…

School staff cleaned and disinfected the campus Monday after students went home.

How coronavirus impacts travel and events

Cantrell said residents should not worry about the coronavirus affecting events slated to bring in visitors to New Orleans in the coming weeks and months.

This is good news for St. Patrick's Day events, though organizers of the Irish Channel parade said they would limit physical contact amid the coronavirus scare.

Full story: How cruises in New Orleans are trying to keep travelers: Offering $200 credits, taking temps, more

It isn't great news for the New Orleans cruise industry, which has been hurting with cancellations after the U.S. State Department on Sunday issued a travel alert for U.S. citizens advising them not to take cruises.

What will St. Patrick's Day in New Orleans look like this year?

St. Patrick's and St. Joseph's day parades are still expected to take place in the coming days, organizers said. However, members have been encouraged to refrain from exchanging kissing for flowers.

Are New Orleans cruises not operating because of coronavirus?

Despite the federal government warning, cruises are still sailing out of New Orleans, but companies are seeing an increase in cancellations. In an effort to keep people on their trips, some cruise companies are going the extra mile -- taking temperatures of all passengers before boarding, increasing hygiene practices and even handing out $200 spending credits.

What events have been canceled so far?

Canceled events in New Orleans include the World Petrochemical Conference later this month, the spring meeting for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and LimmudFest 2020, a major Jewish educational and cultural event.

Organizers of Buku Music + Art Experience, the French Quarter Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival said they will continue to monitor coronavirus concerns before their events.

What else to know

Infections were reported in more than half the world’s countries, according to The Associated Press. More than 110,000 people have tested positive for the disease and more than 3,800 people with the virus have died, most of them in China. Some 62,000 people have already recovered.

While coronavirus is easing in China, fast-growing clusters have turned up in South Korea, Japan, Iran and Italy, and the caseload is growing here in the United States.

Here's a map of coronavirus cases across the world:

Sources: J WHO, CDC, NHC, Dingxiangyuan and Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering

What exactly is coronavirus, or COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a new strain from the family of so-called coronaviruses that can cause everything from the common cold to fever, cough and difficulty breathing. The virus originated in China late last year.

The virus poses the most risk to elderly adults and those with existing medical conditions. Younger or healthier people may be infected but not know it, as many adults show no symptoms.

How has this affected the economy?

Stocks plunged 7% on Wall Street Monday, triggering a trading halt for 15 minutes. The steep drop followed similar falls in Europe after a fight among major crude-producing countries jolted investors already on edge about the widening fallout from the outbreak of the new coronavirus.

Oil prices fell amid decline in demand, coronavirus scare; Here's why that's not good for Louisiana Businesses across Louisiana tied to the oil and gas industry might bear the brunt of another downturn in the price of crude oil, which tumbled…

The most violent drops came from the oil markets, where prices cratered more than 20%. Businesses across Louisiana tied to the oil and gas industry might bear the brunt of another downturn in the price of crude oil, which tumbled as much as 34% Monday before settling just above $31 per barrel.

Are schools canceling classes?

LSU has canceled all international study abroad programs through Aug. 17 because of worries about the novel coronavirus. And, LSU is considering temporarily suspending face-to-face instruction, officials said Saturday.

Full story: Students, staff self-quarantine at three New Orleans public schools after overseas travel

Several schools in Orleans and Jefferson Parish have announced that some employees and students were asked to stay home for at least two weeks after traveling to international countries.

Tell us how coronavirus has impacted you

If you have tips, or want to talk to us, this is how to do it:

Here's our e-mail address for all tips: newstips@theadvocate.com

The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate health reporter Emily Woodruff has been covering all facets of the coronavirus epidemic and the local response. She can be reached at ewoodruff@theadvocate.com. She can also be reached at (850) 445-0335, or on the encrypted communication app Signal at the same number.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.