photo by: Associated Press

Hawaii state Department of Health microbiologist Mark Nagata demonstrates the process for testing a sample for coronavirus at the department's laboratory in Pearl City, Hawaii on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Audrey McAvoy)

Story updated at 5:49 p.m. Wednesday

The new coronavirus may not pose much of a risk to Kansas right now, but the state is making preparations for it anyway, Gov. Laura Kelly said during a press conference Wednesday.

“There are no confirmed cases in Kansas, but we are prepared,” Kelly said, according to a press release from the governor’s office. “Currently, in Kansas, the overall risk of the virus is low, but that does not mean we can rest easy.”

Lee Tafanelli, director of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, spoke alongside Kelly at the press conference. He said the state had been working on procedures to combat the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, should it threaten Kansas in the future.

“We have been coordinating, planning and participating in briefings with local, state and federal partners on a daily basis,” he said, according to the release. “We stand ready to respond.”

One part of Kansas’ response to the virus is an online resource center that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced earlier on Wednesday. According to a KDHE news release, the site is focused on answering commonly asked questions about the virus, providing Kansans with the latest COVID-19 news and correcting misinformation.

“The best thing Kansans can do is be informed,” KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman said in his department’s release. “COVID-19 is a new virus and, as a result, many people have questions about it and how to keep their families safe. The COVID-19 resource center will provide a centralized location for Kansans to go to learn the most up-to-date information.”

The public can visit the site at kdheks.gov/coronavirus. Information will also be shared on KDHE’s social media channels.

The novel coronavirus originated in Wuhan, China, and has now been reported in more than 70 countries, including the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The KDHE news release advised that if you have recently traveled to areas affected by the virus, including China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea, and have developed a fever with lower respiratory symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath within 14 days of your travel, or have had contact with someone with a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19, you should stay home and call your health care provider.

According to the release from the governor’s office, Kelly advised Kansans on basic methods to avoid infection.

“The best way to protect yourself, your family and your friends against contracting the virus is to use good hygiene practices like washing your hands, coughing into your sleeve, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and stay home if you’re not feeling well,” she said. “It’s simple, but effective.”