According to the CDC, the risk of being exposed to the coronavirus (COVID-19) for most people is low. The CDC recommends taking simple, everyday steps to avoid catching or spreading respiratory diseases including COVID-19. These include covering your cough or sneeze and thoroughly washing or sanitizing your hands. Call your doctor and stay home if you are sick. Get more information at CDC.gov/coronavirus or contact the Tennessee Department of Health coronavirus information line at 877-857-2945 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

While Tennessee waits to begin putting to use much of the federal money it has received to combat the coronavirus, Gov. Bill Lee on Tuesday said there is currently no need for schools and workplaces to close.

"We don't see a reason for closing down right now or for changing the way people work," Lee told reporters after speaking at a Nashville Chamber breakfast Tuesday morning at the Omni Hotel.

Lee, who joined other governors on a call Monday with Vice President Mike Pence to discuss ongoing coronavirus efforts, confirmed that the state has received $10 million in federal funding to fight the spread of the illness. He is waiting to put it to use.

The governor said that amount was currently "sufficient," and that Tennessee did not yet need to declare a state of emergency for the coronavirus, something eight other states have done. Tennessee remains in a state of emergency as it recovers from tornadoes that killed 24 people last week.

As of Tuesday afternoon, seven Tennessee residents have tested positive for the coronavirus, five of whom are in Middle Tennessee.

Williamson County Schools also canceled classes Tuesday after a parent said they tested positive for the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

► Newsletter: Stay safe and informed with updates on the spread of the coronavirus.

"A lot of it is being held for the implementation of strategy that we will use going forward when and if these cases become significant," Lee said of the $10 million in coronavirus aid the state has received. "So we're not spending that money significantly right now. We're preparing for ways we will spend it if things change."

Lee said he plans to call for a state of emergency only when Tennessee begins to see "clusters of affected patients" and when "a different strategy than what we have right now is needed."

The state has not released a written plan or provided a high level of detail on its coronavirus strategy. On Monday, a newly-assembled state coronavirus task force gathered at the Capitol to discuss ongoing efforts.

Lee cautions no need to close schools, workplaces at present

Despite Vanderbilt University in Nashville announcing Monday evening it was canceling in-person classes at least through the end of the month, Lee said there was currently no need to suggest the state's roughly 40,000 employees work from home.

He referred to Vanderbilt's situation as unique, given the number of students returning to campus from study trips abroad.

"So I understand their situation, and everyone has to make decisions on their own," Lee said. "We don’t see a reason at this point (to close state offices) because the threat is significantly low to Tennesseans."

The spread of the virus prompted partial closures of one of Nashville’s most prominent skyscrapers on Monday. The AT&T building closed partially for a “thorough cleaning” in response to concerns about the virus, according to a flyer taped to its doors on Monday.

In regards to the number of tests available, Lee said Pence told governors on Monday the federal government would be sending out 1 million coronavirus test kits this week, though it's unclear how many Tennessee is set to receive.

State officials on Monday announced that Tennessee had 165 tests on hand.

"So far, we have the number of tests necessary for the number of cases in our state, and we believe we're going to have sufficiently enough tests as this week unfolds," Lee said.

Lee said the federal government expected an additional 4 million tests would be ready to be distributed by the end of the week, as well.

Speaking to attendees of the breakfast, the governor cautioned them not to panic.

"There is a lot of unknowns about this virus," Lee said. "There are a lot of things known about it as well. We are working hard to remind folks to stay focused on what we know and to not respond to the things we don’t know."

Novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a viral infection that began in Wuhan, China, but has since spread worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, over 105,000 people have tested positive for the illness, which has killed about 3,600 across more than 100 countries.

In the United States, more than 500 cases and 22 deaths have been reported.

Jamie McGee contributed.

Reach Natalie Allison at nallison@tennessean.com. Follow her on Twitter at @natalie_allison.

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