HERKIMER – An individual in Herkimer County has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The case was included in a list released Thursday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office, which said there are now 328 confirmed cases of coronavirus in New York as of Thursday.

The individual tested positive for COVID-19, according to an authorized state laboratory, but the case is classified as "presumptive positive" until confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to Diane Ward, director of Herkimer County Public Health Nursing Services.

When reached by telephone, Ward was in a meeting with Herkimer County Administrator James Wallace and Herkimer County Personnel Officer Steve Billings. County Attorney Kyle Crandall was also involved in the meeting, Wallace said.

Ward declined to specify where the person lives, saying the case is in Herkimer County.

"It’s here now, so it’s become the whole county," she said.

At this point, the department is following procedures to get in touch with anyone who was in close contact with the individual and making sure precautions are followed, said Ward.

The report of a COVID-19 case in Herkimer County is not a surprise, Wallace said. County officials were making preparations before they were notified of this case.

"It’s amazing, with the world we live in, everybody is in contact with each other," he said. "We’ve been taking extra cleaning precautions. A couple days ago we made sure there was extra Lysol and Clorox in every department. We’re working as best we can and will continue to do so. Our employees are extremely important to us. We’ve been talking with our sister counties to see if there’s anything we’re missing that we need to be doing."

He added, "Diane has worked hard with John Raymond, our director of emergency services." This, he said, has included obtaining protective masks for public health nurses who will have to enter the home of anyone affected by coronavirus.

With the governor making hand sanitizer available, Ward said she is working to obtain some and make sure supplies are available where needed.

For the general public, she said, the key is washing hands often with soap and water (20 seconds is the recommendation), avoiding crowds and staying home if they are sick.

"They should call the doctor first if they are showing respiratory symptoms," said Ward.

When word of the confirmed case came in, Wallace said, he notified county legislators by email. County employees were also advised of this development.

"Washing hands, washing hands, washing hands. I think people are finally starting to understand how important it is," he said, adding he has been receiving an education on this new public health threat. "Diane and I have been talking every day. The New York State Department of Health has been great to work with."

The county is working with the state to get a statement together for residents, Wallace said.