The state Health Department is warning older adults in North Mississippi facilities are at risk of coronavirus exposure with a case across the Tennessee line and urged nursing homes to restrict visitation and halt group activities.

© Sarah Warnock, Clarion Ledger Mississippi Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs (right) discusses the state's preparations to deal with coronavirus, at a press conference held by Governor Tate Reeves (left) in Jackson, Miss. Dr. Dobbs mentioned testing for the virus has begun, with all subjects testing negative, thus far. Wednesday, March 4, 2020.

.State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs on Monday issued the "special precaution" for facilities in DeSoto, Marshall, Tate and Tunica counties.

It follows a confirmed case of the virus in Shelby County, Tennessee, on Sunday. The southwest Tennessee county borders Mississippi.

Dobbs gave a long list of recommendations for "all long-term care facilities, personal care homes and group care sites for those with disabilities" in the area.

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"With a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Memphis area, older adults and others in nursing homes and other special care facilities are at risk," the department posted to social media.

Here are the recommended precautions:

MSDH recommends discontinuing group social activities.

Consider restricting visitation until further notification.

Post signs that discourage all nonessential visitation and discourage ill visitors from entering the facility.

Keep all ill visitors away from the facility for at least 48 hours after symptoms resolve.

Consider limiting visitation by children (especially during community wide outbreaks) and the elderly or those with underlying medical problems that place them at risk.

Postpone all groups (like school groups or church groups) from visiting facility — this goes along with discontinuing all group activities.

Visitors should cover their coughs and be educated on the importance of hand hygiene.

Make sure the facility has plenty of hand washing products and that visitors have access to them.

Visitors should only visit their family members and should not have contact with other residents since they could spread the virus.

It is unclear at this time how long these recommendations will be in place, the department said.

Contact Justin Vicory at 769-572-1418 or jvicory@gannett.com. Follow @justinvicory on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Tennessee coronavirus: North Mississippi nursing homes warned to restrict visitation