JEFFERSON CITY (AP) — Missouri on Wednesday launched a 24-hour hotline staffed by medical professionals for people seeking guidance on the new coronavirus, and the federal government awarded the state nearly $10 million for its response to the disease.

The state Department of Health and Senior Services said residents and medical providers needing advice on the virus can call 877-435-8411 at any time on any day. The phone number became active Wednesday morning.

For more news about the COVID-19 coronavirus, access the News Tribune's Health section

DHSS also operates a COVID-19 webpage at health.mo.gov/coronavirus to provide information about prevention and treatment of the virus. It also provides guidance for travelers, health care professionals, testing laboratories, businesses and schools.

Later Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Senior Services announced Missouri will receive $9.9 million as its share of coronavirus funding recently approved by Congress.

So far, 65 people in Missouri have been tested for the virus that causes COVID-19, but just one has tested positive, the department said. That person is a St. Louis County woman who traveled to Italy for a study-abroad program.

The Phelps/Maries County Health Department confirmed Phelps Health has sent a COVID-19 test to the state lab for processing. Results, which take 24 hours, were pending late Wednesday afternoon.

Testing in Missouri

Missouri's state health director on Wednesday said the state has enough tests for the novel coronavirus, and there is no evidence the disease has spread in Missouri.

Right now, the state can do 780 tests for COVID-19, and it's waiting on a shipment of more tests from the Centers for Disease Control, which Department of Health and Senior Services Director Randall Williams said he expects by the end of the week.

The CDC is sending out 1 million tests across the country this week. Williams did not know the exact number Missouri would be receiving, he said.

The state lab can process 100 tests a day, and is currently performing about 10 tests a day, Williams said.

"The bottom line is, we have the capacity to test the people who fit our screening criteria," he said.

Missouri expanded the criteria Tuesday for who it tests, and commercial tests are now available to patients with a doctor's recommendation, Williams said.

In most cases, a patient has to show symptoms and the risk of exposure to fit the state's testing criteria. The physical symptoms are fever and respiratory issues ranging from cough to shortness of breath to pneumonia. The exposure risks travel to an affected area within 14 days of showing symptoms or coming into contact with someone who has been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, those with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.

A patient only needs a doctor's recommendation for a commercial test, currently offered by LabCorp in Missouri, and offered nationally by Quest Diagnostics. Those tests cost $123 and can take two to three days to process, Williams said.

It takes the state about six hours for the state lab to actually run a test, he said. They run tests in batches if they have enough, but they won't wait for more specimens just so they can run a batch instead of running one by itself, he said.

"Now that tests are available commercially in Missouri, we wanted to save our tests for those who are most in need, most acute or most ill," Williams said.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services will not charge for COVID-19 tests because testing will be paid for using federal funds, said Lisa Cox, communications director for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Simple prevention actions that help prevent the spread of all types of respiratory viruses include:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

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

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.

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Higher education responses

Cancellations mounted at universities and the state Capitol due to concerns over the disease.

Missouri Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden said on Twitter late Wednesday that the chamber was canceling its session next week "as we work to ensure the safety of our members and Capitol guests" from the new coronavirus.

The announcement came a day after legislative leaders had urged people not directly participating in legislative business to stay away from the Capitol. The building nonetheless remained crowded with people Wednesday.

Universities are taking action to proactively address virus concerns, including Lincoln University.

LU announced Wednesday it will extend its spring break for students through March 20. The university is on spring break this week.

"The residence halls will be closed through the week. Students with purchased travel arrangements should contact their provider regarding the change in plans," LU spokeswoman Misty Young said.

"This extension will allow the university time for additional deep cleaning and to prepare alternative course delivery, if necessary. Faculty and staff will have regular business hours during the week of March 16. Students, faculty and staff are asked to continue to monitor campus email for further updates," Young added.

State Technical College's President Shawn Strong told the News Tribune via email that "Until we are told to do otherwise by the State of Missouri, at this time our plan is to continue our operations uninterrupted."

The University of Missouri in Columbia is also taking precautions. Chancellor Alexander Cartwright announced Wednesday afternoon that in-person classes were suspended beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday. In-person classes are scheduled to resume March 30, following spring break.

Washington University announced Wednesday it would suspend in-person classes until at least April 30, which is shortly before the end of the semester. Chancellor Andrew Martin said in a message to students that spring break, which began this week, will be extended for an additional week before classes resume online March 23. The university also said it was closing its on-campus housing for undergraduates, instead directing them to finish the semester from their permanent home addresses.

Saint Louis University said Tuesday that it would suspend most in-person classes next week while it evaluates what to do going forward. Maryville University also announced Tuesday it was suspending on-campus classes until March 30 while evaluating its next steps. And Webster University said it was moving all classes online starting Monday through April 3.

Meanwhile, Springfield is canceling a St. Patrick's Day parade that usually attracts a crowd of about 7,500 people amid concerns about the outbreak.

Reporter Brendan Crowley contributed to this article.