MADISON (WKOW) - The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has furnished two state labs with the ability to test for the new strain of coronavirus.

Officials said both the Milwaukee Health Department and UW-Madison now have the capability to check swabs for Covid-19, the virus responsible for outbreaks around the globe.

The labs have the ability to test hundreds of patients.

The worst-hit areas include China, South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan.

DHS is preparing to switch from containing the disease to controlling the spread should it begin to disseminate in the community.

Thus far, testing confirmed only one person had the virus in Dane County. Health officials recently released that person from isolation after they tested negative for the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control listed cough, shortness of breath and fever as symptoms of the ailment. Those signs, combined with a history of travel to countries affected by the virus - such as China - will lead to testing.

DHS asked that people returning from affected countries should self-quarantine and self-monitor for symptoms. If they need health care, they should contact their local health department.

Officials also recommended that anyone who believes they may be infected to wear a facemask. The general public does not need to buy facemasks.