WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - The remaining potential case of coronavirus in Washtenaw County tested negative, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services officials said Friday.

The third case in Washtenaw County was identified Monday, Jan. 27. It was sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lab in Atlanta -- the only lab capable of testing for the 2019 novel coronavirus that was named a global health emergency Thursday.

The case is the fourth in the state to test negative. Three specimens -- two from Washtenaw and one from Macomb County -- were determined to not have the virus on Monday. No other cases in Michigan have been referred to the CDC as of Friday morning, DHHS spokeswoman Lynn Sutfin said.

The virus is a new strand of a coronavirus that caused a deadly outbreak beginning in Wuhan, China. The United States reported the first confirmed instance of person-to-person spread with this virus on Thursday, Jan. 30, the CDC reported. There are five confirmed cases in the country of Friday morning, according to the CDC.

Local health departments are referring any possible cases for testing, officials previously said. Washtenaw County Health Department Spokeswoman Susan Ringer-Cerniglia said specimens are tested when the patient has symptoms of lower respiratory illness and fever, as well as travelled to Wuhan or had contact with someone who is being investigated for the infection.

There is “not a high level of concern" for the statewide spread of coronavirus, though health officials do not currently know “how efficiently” the virus travels, Ringer-Cerniglia said in a previous article.

New potential Michigan coronavirus case being investigated, officials say

Coronavirus is a respiratory illness common in animals and humans, but the new strand, called novel coronavirus 2019, had not been previously detected, according to the CDC. Public health screenings for travelers from Wuhan, about 12 hours south of Beijing, are in place multiple U.S. airports, including Detroit Metro Airport.

Health officials warn patients to call a health care provider before seeking treatment for potential coronavirus symptoms so the appropriate preventive measures can be taken.

Officials also recommend frequently washing hands, covering coughs and taking other precautions similar to flu prevention.

MORE ON THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:

Ice fishing, ‘Boogie Woogie Kid’ and egg drop: 5 activities around Ann Arbor Jan. 31-Feb. 2

Ann Arbor hosts affordable housing meeting to review 2 potential locations

Thousands of census jobs paying $23 an hour available in Ann Arbor area