Topeka's Stormont Vail revealed Wednesday that it had tested three patients for coronavirus and all three results came back negative.

CEO Robert Kenagy said they have a plan to keep the community safe as coronavirus spreads throughout the country.

He said, "It's vitally important that people take a deep breath, understand the prevention, understand what to do if they have symptoms and act responsibly."

Kenagy said he and his team are meeting every day to plan for the day coronavirus enters the area.

"We had three patients Tuesday that qualified for testing. Two were in-patients and one was an out-patient at our office in Emporia," he said.

Kenagy said the three patients showed signs of a cough, fever and respiratory distress.

He said Stormon is following guidelines put in place by the CDC and KDHE.

"We're going to focus on what we hear from the experts and we're going to partner with them to follow the guidelines that they issue and be a community resource to take care of sick people," Kenagy said.

With many people traveling for spring break, he said it's important to practice prevention.

"I think it's reasonable to assume the risk will go up with all the travel associated with spring break," Kenagy said, "The virus is acquired through the mucus membranes, so that's a lot about hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes and avoiding your hands to the face."

He said people who feel symptoms of COVID-19 should call ahead before going to a hospital.

"Calling ahead allows us to receive them appropriately. Get them in a mask, get them in a negative pressure room, get them in a position where our staff are protected," Kenagy said.

The number for Stormont Vail Health is 785-354-6000.