March 2, 2020

ATLANTA, GA (WRDW/WAGT) -- Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp confirmed in an unusually late news conference that two Georgia residents have contracted coronavirus.

Kemp said the cases are isolated to the same home in Fulton County and that one of the sick patients had just returned from Italy.

"Both individuals are isolated at home with other relatives to keep the illness from spreading," Kemp said.

Members of the state's task force said they had just learned about the case several hours before the news conference.

Despite the fear, Kemp stressed the importance of residents to stay calm, saying the state and the federal government are on the case.

"Georgians should remain calm," Kemp said. "We were ready for today. We've been preparing, as you know, for several weeks now, and so far, every development has come forward just as we expected it would."

According to the CDC and the Georgia Department of Public Health, coronavirus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms appear within two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose, and difficulty breathing. Those considered at risk for contracting the virus are individuals with travel to areas where there are ongoing outbreaks of coronavirus or individuals in close contact with a person infected with coronavirus.

“We knew that Georgia would likely have confirmed cases of COVID-19, and we planned for it. The immediate risk of COVID-19 to the general public, however, remains low at this time,” Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H, DPH commissioner, said. “I cannot emphasize enough the need for all Georgians to follow the simple precautions that DPH always urges to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.”

So how can you protect yourself from coronavirus?

-Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

-Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

-Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

-Stay home when you are sick.

-Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

-Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.