State Lab Now Able To Test For Coronavirus

State health officials are preparing for the spread of coronavirus after the first case was confirmed on Tuesday. 

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced that the State Laboratory of Public Health is now able to perform testing for the virus.

The testing will be done for individuals who meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's criteria for those being evaluated for COVID-19.

Results are required to be confirmed by the CDC, but coordinating agencies won't have to wait to begin responding with care for the patient.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Governor Roy Cooper said there are precautionary steps people should be taking.

“The simplest steps are the most important: wash your hands often, and avoid touching your face as much as you can," he said. "Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, clean and disinfect surfaces frequently.” 

Last month, Cooper created the Novel Coronavirus Task Force to manage the state's response to the virus.