OPINION: New Zealand has now joined the list of over 40 countries around the world where a person has tested positive for the new coronavirus. In our case, a Kiwi contracted the virus overseas and they are currently being treated in hospital in Auckland.

Just to be clear, this is not the apocalypse and there is no need for pandemonium. We have been expecting this for weeks and have prepared accordingly.

This diagnosis means New Zealand is now actively in ‘containment mode’ where the authorities are identifying any people who have been in contact with the person in hospital and ensuring they are put into isolation and tested.

The goal is to stop anyone else in New Zealand from contracting the virus. Saying that, it wouldn’t be unusual to have a few more people test positive for the virus if they have been in close contact with the original case. But the fast actions of the patient’s family in getting them medical help will have kept this to a minimum.

DEAN CARRUTHERS/STUFF Dr Siouxsie Wiles, a microbiologist at the University of Auckland, writes there is no need for unnecessary panic.

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So what does this case mean for the rest of us? At the moment, not much. We are no more at risk of coming down with COVID-19 today than we were yesterday. But it is also clear that in some countries, the virus is starting to get ahead of efforts to contain it. That means we are likely to see more people who may have COVID-19 arriving in New Zealand.

Again, this doesn’t mean we should panic. Because when we panic, we actively harm our ability to respond to difficult situations. Instead we need to stay calm and start preparing. What happens in the months to come is going to depend on how we all behave.

RAFAEL YAGHOBZADEH/AP Tourists wearing a mask walks outside the Louvre museum Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Paris. More than 84,000 people have contracted the virus worldwide.

Our goal shouldn’t be to stockpile hand sanitiser and masks. The research is really clear that communities that survive disasters the best are those that work together to protect each other and share their resources and make sure no one is left out in the cold. What we all need to do is make plans for how we would self-isolate if needed and what we would do if we started to experience any symptoms.

Have you got a pantry and freezer with two weeks-worth of yummy food? What about for your pets? Are you set up to do internet-banking? Have you got plenty of books, box sets, and games in case your kids need to stay off school? Does your workplace have a plan for people to work remotely? Start washing your hands a bit more often. Twenty seconds with soap and water is all you need. And it doesn’t even need to be antibacterial soap! Just made sure you dry your hands properly when you are done.

The reality is that we are all going to be susceptible to catching this virus. The data suggests that the severity of COVID-19 gets worse as you get older and if you have other underlying health problems. So everyone who is young and healthy needs to be thinking about how they can protect the vulnerable members of our community. That means if you experience any flu-like symptoms, stay away from other people, and call Healthline’s dedicated COVID-19 number - 0800 358 5453. Please don’t just turn up at your GP’s offices or at the hospital.

Now is the time for us to show our best side.

Dr Siouxsie Wiles MNZM is an associate professor at the University of Auckland and a deputy-director of Te Pūnaha Matatini, a New Zealand Centre of Research Excellence.