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The new coronavirus has appeared in the Lehigh Valley, one of more than 40 cases identified in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The virus that causes COVID-19 has been deemed a global pandemic infecting more than 125,000 people worldwide and resulting in 4,600 deaths.

Dont panic. Federal and state health officials say there are common-sense steps that with diligence can limit the spread of the disease locally. Here youll find information on where coronavirus is in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, symptoms and precautions for COVID-19, and more. Follow the links for more.

The coronavirus. (Centers for Disease Control)

A coronavirus is a kind of virus that commonly circulates among people, like the one that causes the common cold. This, however, is a novel coronavirus, one not previously identified, according to the CDC.

The new coronavirus causes COVID-19, which stands for coronavirus disease 2019. There currently is no vaccine or treatment.

As of March 12, 21 patients have tested positive for the new coronavirus in seven Pennsylvania counties: Bucks, Delaware, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia and Wayne. Most of the cases are in Montgomery County, south of the Lehigh Valley. (This map will be updated as more cases are announced.)

No deaths have been reported in Pennsylvania.

The Northampton County COVID-19 case is an adult and in isolation to prevent spread of the disease, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has confirmed. The department has not been more specific with any of the COVID-19 cases in the state, citing patient confidentiality.

As of Thursday, at least three school Lehigh Valley school districts have said they have patients or employees being tested -- Allentown, Whitehall-Coplay and Easton Arts Academy.

In New Jersey, at least 23 patients have tested positive for the coronavirus and one has died.

Though Pennsylvania has not issued any formal recommendations for events to be canceled or schools to close, some individual organizations and campuses are doing so on their own.

Here youll find a list of Lehigh Valley advisories, closing and cancellations. The list is being updated as we get more information.

Fever, cough and shortness of breath may appear up to two weeks after exposure to someone with the coronavirus, according to the CDC. Coronavirus symptoms could be mild and are different from the flu, allergies or common cold.

If you think you have coronavirus symptoms, call ahead to your doctor. Not everyone will receive a coronavirus test a patient must meet specific criteria.

After a positive test, state health officials will reach out to anyone who has been in contact with that person to see if they also need testing.

This undated photo provided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows CDCs laboratory test kit for the new coronavirus.CDC via AP

To protect yourself from the coronavirus, the CDC recommends washing your hands often and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

To protect others, do what you normally should during flu season: Stay home if youre not feeling well. Cover coughs and sneezes. Regularly disinfect frequently touched surfaces like phones and doorknobs. Wear a facemask if you are sick it can prevent the spread of viruses from someone who is ill, but it wont prevent a healthy person from contracting it.

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure reminded local residents to limit interactions with vulnerable populations: the elderly, people with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease or diabetes and people with compromised immune systems.

Microbiologist Xiugen Zhang runs a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test at the Connecticut State Public Health Laboratory, Monday, March 2, 2020, in Rocky Hill, Conn. The Connecticut Department of Public Health has received federal approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration to run diagnostic testing for the coronavirus at the department's lab in Rocky Hill. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)AP

As more coronavirus cases appear, health officials are placing those with COVID-19 into isolation, either at a hospital or at home.

That is different from a quarantine, which is where people who have been exposed to the virus are separated and their movements restricted to see if they become sick, as the Pennsylvania Department of Health recently explained.

Isolation, on the other hand, is what happens to people who are already sick so they dont spread the disease to others. If isolated at home, the patient can still go outside but is advised to avoid close contact with others like shopping.

Health officials recommend stocking up a two-week supply of food, medicine and water in case of a 14-day quarantine. Residents should also have cleaning products on-hand and arrange for caregivers and extra medication as needed.

Students walk along Marshall Street on the Syracuse University campus Tuesday, March 10, 2020. Classes will move online after spring break next week to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.Michael Greenlar | mgreenlar@syracuse.com

State health officials advise against relying on social media for coronavirus updates. Instead, consult your state health department at health.pa.gov or http://www.nj.gov/health and the CDC website.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. If theres anything about this story that needs attention, please email him. Follow him on Twitter @SteveNovakLVL and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

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