Covid-19 has taken our world as we know it by storm and brought it to an abrupt halt. The respiratory illness is now spreading like wildfire throughout the United States. As of press time, DeKalb County had no confirmed cases of the Coronavirus.

Last week on Thursday, the governor declared a state of emergency, and along with the national news media’s warnings, people began shopping in panic mode readying for the pandemic and possible quarantine.

Within 24-hours, courts across the US, sporting events, federal buildings, and schools closed with the attempt to limit the spread the virus.

The healthcare industry is unprepared for a mass amount of patients, thus drastic measures are being taken for all US citizens.

DeKalb’s local facilities are equipped with the coronavirus test kits for anyone who may appear to have the virus’ symptoms.

The specific criteria includes fever and respiratory illness such as cough or shortness of breath. Also considered is whether the person has traveled to an affected area in the past 14 days, according to the CDC’s geographic list, or has had close contact with a person who has a confirmed case of coronavirus. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Those the virus seems to affect the worst are the elderly and those with underlying conditions, such as asthma, other lungs conditions and smokers.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.