LANSING — One of two people in Ingham County isolated because of possible coronavirus exposure has tested negative for the respiratory disease, officials said.

The Ingham County Health Department said the person who tested negative for COVID-19 had recently traveled to an area impacted by the illness and showed symptoms that could have been caused by the virus.

Test result are still pending on the second person, officials said in a Friday evening news release.

There had been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Michigan as of Friday evening. But Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail said it is "highly likely" coronavirus will spread to the Lansing area.

"We're seeing some pretty significant spread," she said. "I certainly would not be surprised at all that there would be cases. That doesn't mean there definitely will be, but it seems highly likely. That's why we're preparing."

Vail, health care workers, emergency responders and politicians from Ingham County and the city of Lansing met Friday to reassure residents they are prepared for an outbreak of the virus. They will use a plan similar for one developed for an outbreak of influenza.

"We know there are significant health risks involved and we're here today to reassure all of our residents that we're prepared," Lansing Mayor Andy Schor said. "We want to keep everyone properly informed as we go forward."

The coronavirus, known officially as COVID-19, causes respiratory illness with symptoms including fever, coughing and shortness of breath. There are more than 100,000 cases reported worldwide.

As of Friday, 164 cases were confirmed in the U.S. Most are in Washington and California. Indiana confirmed a case Friday.

Michigan health workers are monitoring 82 people for the virus. So far, 16 people have been tested. Eight tests were negative. The other tests are pending. Updated information is available at michigan.gov/coronavirus.

No potential cases are under monitoring in Eaton or Clinton counties, health department officials from the Barry-Eaton and Mid-Michigan district health departments said.

What to do if you have coronavirus symptoms

Nike Shoyinka, Ingham County medical director, said most healthy people will experience mild symptoms if they contract coronavirus. People who are sick or elderly may be more at risk of serious symptoms or death.

Coronavirus symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.

People who develop symptoms should contact a doctor, Shoyinka said, especially if they or someone they know has been to heavily affected areas.

People with mild symptoms should try to use telemedicine, or remote medical care, if possible and treat the illness by resting and staying hydrated.

Those visiting a doctor's office should make arrangements ahead of time.

"Calling in advance helps health care providers to prepare for your arrival and make sure that the appropriate measures are taken," Shoyinka said.

People who have traveled to areas heavily impacted by the virus are placed under monitoring, asked to stay home for 14 days and be in contact with health officials daily, Vail said. People who show symptoms are tested.

Protect yourself from coronavirus, but don't panic

Practicing good hygiene, staying home when sick and remaining calm will help slow the spread of the coronavirus, Shoyinka said.

"COVID-19 is a cause for concern, it's a cause for preparation, but it's not a cause for panic," she said.

That was the message of a press conference Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held in February when she activated the state Emergency Operations Center in Dimondale to coordinate federal, state and local response to the virus.

To stay healthy, people should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching their faces, avoid handshakes, stay home from work if they are sick and cover coughs and sneezes.

Healthy people do not need to wear face masks, Vail said. She encouraged people to reserve masks for health care workers and people who are sick.

"We have got to protect our health care workers and our responders with those masks so we still have enough of a workforce to take care of all of you," she said.

Being prepared:Coronavirus outbreak: Is Michigan prepared for widespread COVID-19 cases?

Governor's response:Whitmer activates state Emergency Operations Center to coordinate coronavirus response

She also said people should avoid stigmatizing people of Asian descent, a problem students say they are facing at Michigan State University since the outbreak of the disease started in China last year.

"Such fears and mistreatment are unfounded," Vail said. "When we stigmatize people in health conditions it tends to make the spread harder to control."

Coronavirus testing capacity in Michigan

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday it has the capacity to test more than 300 Michigan residents for COVID-19. The MDHHS lab received additional test kits from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday.

Sparrow Health System is securing approvals from the Food and Drug administration that will allow them to test samples onsite, which will lead to quicker results, spokesperson John Foren said.

More:Coronavirus: Lessons of the 1918 flu pandemic that claimed 674 soldiers at Camp Custer

Currently, Sparrow health care providers can take samples locally but have to send them out for analysis.

McLaren Greater Lansing has no plans to test samples at its lab at this time, officials said.

Contact Carol Thompson at (517) 377-1018 or ckthompson@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @thompsoncarolk.