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This is the most frequent question the state health department is receiving about coronavirus

While the state has no confirmed COVID-19 cases, many Georgians are concerned about the virus.

ATLANTA — The coronavirus is at the top of mind for medial experts, government officials and everyday Americans - including Georgians.

Gov. Brain Kemp held a news conference Friday afternoon announcing a state task force created to assess the preparations and procedures regarding the virus. Standing beside him was Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Kathleen Toomey. Kemp said she is chairing the task force.

While the state has no confirmed COVID-19 cases, many Georgians are concerned about the virus.

"The most frequent question I'm getting in my office is, how can we prevent infection?" she said. "And I will say something that I have said so many times before. The best way to prevent infection is the tried-and-true measures. They are important for everyday health as they are to prevent novel coronavirus: wash your hands."

"Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, and, if not available, hand sanitizer," she reiterated. 

RELATED: Gov. Kemp creates coronavirus task force that will assess state's preparations

"Avoid touching your mouth and nose. Avoid close contact with people who may be sick. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze," Toomey listed. 

She also added that while coronavirus is at the top of people's minds, it's important to still get your flu shot. 

"We are still in flu season," she said. "We just had nine additional deaths in Georgia reported, today. So our total for this year has been 66 deaths from flu."

Toomey explained that the flu shot won't prevent people from getting COVID-19, however, it will potentially reduce the intensity of a flu infection and keep people out of the hospital.

"Part of our preparations for coronavirus response is to ensure that we have surge capacity in the hospitals, and that's going to be difficulty if the hospitals are full with influenza patients," Toomey explained.

RELATED: Stocks fall again amid coronavirus concern in Wall Street's worst week since 2008

Toomey said they've sent under 10 tests to the CDC concerning the coronavirus, but none have come back positive. They hope, however, to be able to do their own testing in the next two weeks.

"I know the question you have today is, 'will there be cases,'''she said. "We have no way of knowing when or if we will have COVID-19 cases, what we do know is that we have a robust plan in place."

The health department has been in close contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is based in Atlanta. They also have staff answering calls 24/7 to help healthcare providers who might have inquiries. 

RELATED: CDC: Six new coronavirus cases confirmed in Texas

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